Fourth Rabid Skunk Found In Pueblo

A day after the Pueblo Health Department reported finding three rabid skunks the department reported another one was found.

This latest rabid skunk was found in the backyard of a home near Mineral Palace Park in the City of Pueblo, said the Health Department.

?It is very important your pets and livestock are up to date with their rabies vaccination,? stated Heather Maio, environmental health director at the Pueblo City-County Health Department. ?In order to protect the community as we see more and more rabid skunks, it is important pet owners take individual responsibility to vaccinate their pets and follow the licensing and leash laws,? she added.

This rabid skunk, like the three picked up before, was in a home yard during daylight hours. The home where the skunk was picked up by the Health Department is near 20th Street and Court Street on the north side of Pueblo. Earlier this week, a rabid skunk was picked up west of Lake Minnequa. ?There is now a concern skunks with rabies are moving throughout populated areas of Pueblo as rabid skunks have been seen near Mineral Palace Park and Lake Minnequa,? explained Maio.

?Unfortunately in the current situation, a pet came in contact with the skunk and the pet was not vaccinated,? described Maio. ?We realize pets are an important part of people?s families and seeing their pets harmed or threatened is difficult,? stated Maio. It is important to report a skunk that may or has come in contact with your pet as the Health Department will help determine if the pet needs to receive a rabies vaccination booster or be quarantined. A quarantine can be a minimum of 10 days, often at a home, or may last up to six months at a facility.

Call to report a skunk you see during daylight hours: Weekdays – United States Department Agriculture (719) 250-9035, Weekends & Nights 9-1-1.