Skunk Tests Positive For Rabies

A dead skunk found two weeks ago in the city of Canton has tested positive for rabies.

Canton Animal Control Officer Tom Perry confirmed Tuesday morning that the skunk found dead inside a woman’s carport store room on Billy Street on January 22, came back last week testing positive for the rabies virus.

Perry said he received a call on January 20 that a skunk had been sighted at around 7 a.m. on Nichols Street.

"The caller said they saw it in their back yard and then it ran into a dog house," Perry said.

Once he arrived and searched the property, the skunk was nowhere to be found.

Perry said he began warning neighbors of the skunk sighting and warned the homeowner to get his animal the rabies booster shot.

Then two days later Perry received another call of the dead skunk, on the street over from Nichols only a few houses down.

Perry said the skunk was taken to local veterinarians where its head was removed and sent off for testing.

"I began notifying people in that general area to have boosters done on their animals," Perry said. "I kinda had a feeling it was rabid."

Although there was a dog in the yard when the live skunk was originally spotted, Perry said they do not believe the dog and skunk came into contact and they were not seen fighting.

"No animal was bitten and no person was bitten," Perry said.

"I just want to advise everyone that they need to have their animals vaccinated. When animals are 4 months of age they have to be vaccinated for rabies," Perry said.

There have been no other sightings reported of wild animals seen out in the daytime, but Perry warns that if anyone should see an animal that is normally nocturnal out during the day to report it to the police department at (903) 567-4991 or the animal shelter at (903) 567-4880.

Perry said he is keeping a close eye on that particular neighborhood, but urges everyone to take precautions in order to keep from encouraging wild or sick animals from coming into your property.

Feed animals in an area where you can watch them or stay there with your animal until they are finished eating, take up their food bowl at night, and do not throw scrap food out.

"Skunks can climb and burrow under a fence. They are kinda like a cat," he said. "When they are sick they can act aggressive, walk drunk, and wander around. So if you see a skunk in the daytime report it."

Perry said the most important thing for the public to do is make sure their pets are up to date on their vaccines.