THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407080264
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Two weeks ago in a wooded area off Jolliff Road a curious Labrador retriever happened across a goofy raccoon. As dogs do, he scampered over to investigate. But the ring-tailed critter stood his ground, bared teeth and claws, and a scuffle ensued.
The raccoon was sick. It had rabies, a disease that can be fatal to both dogs and people. Fortunately, the pup's owner had seen to it that his pet was protected with an up-to-date rabies vaccination. The dog will have to be confined for observation for a while, but, with luck, he won't have to be destroyed.
The incident is a warning to all of us in Chesapeake, whether we keep pets or not. It's the ninth confirmed case of rabies here in the past six years. Last year there were 7 percent more rabies cases in Virginia than in the year before.
As Chesapeake's human population grows, contact with the wild animals that inhabit rural areas of the city becomes more common. The risks of coming in contact with rabies have never been so great.
People who care about their pets will make certain they get the shots they need to avoid infection by the deadly virus. People who care about their children will teach them that wild animals should be enjoyed only from a healthy distance. by CNB