STOCKTON – Chautauqua County Health officials are reporting the first incident of rabies to take place in the county during 2017.
The Environmental Health Unit of the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Humans Services sent out a media release on Monday, saying two Stockton residents were attacked by a stray/feral pet cat on last week on Thursday, October 5.
Chautauqua County Director of Health & Human Services said Christine Schuyler says the incident should serve as a warning to Chautauqua County residents that animal rabies is a serious public health concern that we must not get complacent about.
She said that pets face a very real risk of exposure which can then translate to human exposure. Not only is this a terrible way for a pet to die but children are often at greatest risk from rabies.
Pet owners should be aware that New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets be vaccinated against rabies at 4 months of age.
The next free rabies clinic is set for Saturday October 14, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Town of Gerry Highway Garage, Rt 60 in Gerry.
For more information on rabies or the upcoming vaccination clinics, call 753-4481 during business hours.
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