PRESCOTT — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to protect themselves and their pets by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, especially animals that may be behaving abnormally, such as those that appear aggressive and/or lacking a fear of humans.
The reminder comes after a series of rabies-related incidents involving bobcats biting and scratching humans and dogs in the Williamson Valley area, just north of Prescott were reported to AZGFD on Sunday and Monday. A bobcat that was killed during an attack tested positive for rabies on Monday, according to state health officials.
Wildlife managers are advising residents in the area to stay vigilant, warning that if there’s one incident of rabies on the landscape there’s a chance that other wild animals could be infected.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Anyone who has been scratched or bitten by wild animals should seek immediate medical treatment, which may include an anti-rabies vaccine, at a local health care facility.
“The weather is warming up and people are outside,” said Dr. Ann Fan, AZGFD wildlife veterinarian. “At this time of year, we often see an uptick in the number of wildlife submitted for rabies testing as a result of contact with people or their pets.”
Pets such as dogs and cats, as well as livestock such as horses, should be vaccinated regularly against rabies. In addition, dogs should be on a leash when on walks and a veterinarian consulted if any domestic animals are injured by wildlife.
“In Arizona, the principal rabies hosts are bats, skunks and foxes, although other mammal species like bobcat and coyotes may carry rabies as well,” said Dr. Ann Fan, AZGFD wildlife veterinarian. “When rabies activity within these animal groups increases, it can impact other mammals, such as javelina, cats, dogs, horses, or cows.”
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) recommends the following precautions to avoid exposure to rabies:
- Keep people and pets away from wild animals
- Never leave pet food in your yard because it will attract wild animals.
- Do not pick up, touch or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones.
- If you have been bitten or scratched, or had contact with an animal, wash the area well with soap and water and report it immediately to animal control or health officials.
- Do not “rescue” orphaned wildlife. Leave wildlife alone or call a licensed rehabilitator.
- Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies.
- Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper.
- Keep pets on a leash or in a fenced yard.
- Wear impermeable gloves when skinning carcasses.
- Do not disturb roosting bats.
- If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Place a box over the bat to contain it. Try to preserve the bat so it is intact for testing at a laboratory. Report the bat and its location to animal control or health officials.
To report an animal bite, or an animal acting abnormally, call AZGFD at 623-236-7201. For more information, visit:
