SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - After a weeks-long pause on dog adoptions caused by a confirmed case of canine distemper, the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society has reopened many of its adoptable dogs to the public.

The shelter closed adoptions earlier this month after a dog became severely ill.

“At the beginning of this month, we had a dog present severely ill here at the shelter. It wasn’t symptoms that we recognized, so we immediately took the dog to the E-vet, where unfortunately it did pass away,” said Community Outreach Director Dana Konzem.

“So we did do some testing, and we found it was canine distemper.”

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease, prompting the shelter to suspend dog adoptions and begin emergency cleaning and testing protocols.

“That is a very serious

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