Skunk Shot by Police in Mullica Twp. Found to Carry Rabbies

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Monday, September 08, 2008

By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Writer, 609-272-7227

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — A skunk that chased a dog in a Nesco yard Tuesday had rabies, the 12th such diagnosis in Atlantic County and the third one in the township this year, tests confirmed Monday. A homeowner on the 2300 block of Columbia Road summoned police, who shot the skunk once, killing it, officials said. It was not known whether the skunk bit the dog, but the dog has received a rabies booster shot and is being monitored, said Pat Dillon, environmental health coordinator for Atlantic County.

The New Jersey Department of Health examined the skunk and diagnosed rabies, Dillon said.

Seventeen animals, including seven bats, nine raccoons and a skunk, were found to have rabies in Atlantic County in 2007, state statistics show.

Most of this year’s rabies cases have been raccoons, including the most recent incident Aug. 13. That happened on Wescoat Avenue, a block away from Columbia Road.

For information about rabies, call the county’s Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971.

E-mail: ecampbell@pressofac.com