THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 13, 1994 TAG: 9407130004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
The editorial ``Taxing Tabby'' (July 12) contained incorrect information: In Virginia, wild (as distinct from domestic) animals may not be trapped, transported or released ``in a rural area'' or anywhere else, except as permitted under the wildlife and fish laws. Rabies can be spread by such actions. If a wild animal is trapped by a citizen in Norfolk with a trap obtained from Animal Protection, it can be transported by Animal Protection, as a courtesy, to the SPCA and euthanized.
It is critical that domestic animals be immunized against rabies to protect them and their human contacts. All bites of domestic animals by wild animals should be reported to Animal Protection (in Norfolk at 441-1776 or Environmental Health at 683-2712) for investigation of potential rabies.
Heightened compliance with protective measures of dog and cat rabies immunization and bite reporting are critical with the increase in animal rabies cases in Hampton Roads.
VALERIE STALLINGS, M.D., director
Norfolk Department of Public Health
Norfolk, July 12, 1994 by CNB