VIRGINIA -- Officials in Stafford County are looking into what appears to be a colony of feral rabid cats.
One child was bitten by a cat which was taken to animal shelter and later died.
Here’s more in a press release from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
On Friday, July 12, 2013 a resident from the 700 block of Brooke Road brought in a stray cat to the Stafford County Animal Shelter, which had bitten a family member. The cat was placed in quarantine and a bite report was taken and sent to the Health Department.
On the morning of July 15, the cat was found deceased in the quarantine room which again was reported immediately to the Health Department. The cat was collected on the afternoon of the 15th.
The Animal Shelter received a report on July 17 stating that the cat tested positive for rabies. To this date, the same resident has turned in eight additional cats which are currently being quarantined.
Animal Control Officers have set traps to catch the three remaining cats from the feral colony.
Citizens are reminded to not approach or try to catch stray or wild animals. This message should be shared with children especially during the summer vacation period.
Animal owners should always maintain the appropriate vaccinations for their animals and, if possible, keep animals confined to the premises to avoid the threat of rabies.
(PotomacLocal.com - Jul 18, 2013)
