Polk County is urging owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies after a skunk that chased down and bit a woman last week tested positive for the deadly virus and multiple other potential cases were reported nearby.

The skunk in question ran at and pursued a woman walking in a garden on or near her property and bit her after she tripped and fell to the ground, Polk County Animal Control Officer Patti Lovelace told the Times-News Aug. 12.

A neighbor then killed the skunk with a blunt instrument since it was too close to the woman to safely shoot when she arrived at his door, Lovelace said.

The skunk bite happened near the intersection of Houston Road and Roy West Drive in Columbus the evening of Aug. 5, according to an Aug. 7 Polk County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Responding Anim

See Full Page