Have you encountered a raccoon in your community? Living with wild animals is a part of living in beautiful Douglas County, but there are precautions we need to take, especially when it comes to animals that may have rabies such as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.
Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that results in severe inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Rabies is transmitted through animal bites and scratches. All mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies.
Here are some guidelines from your Douglas County Health Department, depending on the type of encounter:
- Any wild animal could potentially be carrying diseases, so do not touch, feed, or interact with wild animals. Teach children to leave wild animals alone.
- Keep your pets away from wild animals by keeping them on a leash or in your control when contact with wild animals is possible.
- Animal control cannot remove wild animals that are alive. If you would like the animal removed, contact a wildlife removal and relocation company.
- If you or a family member has any contact with an animal that could have rabies, contact the Douglas County Health Department immediately at 720-643-2400 or report the exposure online.
- If you were bitten or scratched by an animal that could carry rabies (even if you don’t know if it was sick), wash any wounds immediately with soap and water, and seek medical care.
Learn more about how to protect your pets, family and property from wildlife on our webpage.