Two rabid animals found in Howland

HOWLAND – A skunk and a raccoon that attacked some dogs in a residential area earlier this week have tested positive for rabies, according to results released Friday.

Warden Ron Dunham said there were two incidents of confirmed rabies. The tests were conducted at a Department of Human Services laboratory.

The warden said these were the first confirmed incidents of rabies he had heard of in three years in the area including Lincoln, Howland, Maxfield and unorganized townships west of Lincoln.

Dunham said the two incidents occurred in the same general area, on Penobscot Avenue in Howland. “The skunk and the raccoon both became aggressive towards the dogs,” he said.

The warden said one incident happened at a dog kennel. “A skunk scaled a 6-foot fence and dove into a pack of Akita dogs,” Dunham said. ” It was aggressive toward the dogs. The dogs tore it apart,” he said.

Dunham said the second incident occurred when a raccoon became aggressive toward a dog that was tied in a yard.

“All of the dogs were immunized, but whenever there is a contact it is required that the domestic animal be quarantined for 45 days,” said Dunham. He said several dogs were quarantined.

The warden is advising people to make sure their pets, including cats, are immunized.

“If a wild animal approaches you or becomes aggressive, by all means move away from it,” he said. Dunham said such incidents should be reported to a local animal control officer or a warden.

Dunham said people should not panic if they see a wild animal because not all wild animals have rabies.

“There are a lot of wild animals that are having a hard time surviving right now because of the snow depths,” he said.

“This is the time of year when animals like raccoons and skunks are coming out and they can’t go in the deep snow so they are out on the streets and along snowmobile trails. Until this snow disappears people will see a lot more activity,” said Dunham.

Bruce Hallett, animal control officer for Howland, offered precautionary advice to residents.

People who tie their animals outside should not leave them there unattended, he said. The animals should be tied out briefly, supervised, then taken back inside. He stressed that small children should not be outside unsupervised either.

“It also may not be a good idea to walk dogs right now,” he said. To report a suspicious animal, call Hallett at 732-4514.

Hallett said a rabies vaccination clinic for local cats and dogs will be held Saturday, April 14, at Pine Tree Pet Supply in West Enfield.