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Rabies is a deadly virus that lives
in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies is spread mainly
through bites from infected animals. But, the virus can also be spread by
scratches and contact with an infected animal’s saliva. Rabies is carried
mainly by wild animals, such as: raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. However,
stray dogs and cats may also carry rabies.
 Teach your children
how
to behave around pets and wildlife. Never feed, rescue or handle any wild
animals. Avoid strays and unknown pets. Call your local police department
(911) if you see sick, injured or abandoned animals. Wild animals NEVER make
good pets and baby animals CAN be rabid.
• If you are bitten, scratched or have some other exposure immediately wash
the area with warm soapy water and call your doctor or hospital. Call the
Westchester County Health Department at 914-813-5000 24 hours a day 7 days a
week for assistance. Whether this assistance is in the form of a referral or
action by the department is dependent upon the circumstances.
• Bats can carry rabies. To avoid exposure to bats, secure doors and windows
and close off any small openings that will allow an animal entrance into
your home. This includes screening, chimneys, attic vents, and air
conditioners. If there is a bat in the house
confine or capture it
(without further
exposing yourself) for possible rabies testing. NEVER release a bat if there
is any possibility of pet or human exposure. View
the State Health Department's,
80-second video on the proper
technique for safely capturing a bat found in one's
home.
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Keep your pets immunized against rabies.
Under New York State law, dogs, cats
and ferrets must receive their first rabies vaccination by the time they are
four months old. A second rabies shot must be given within one year of the
first vaccination with additional booster shots given every one or three
years after that, depending on the vaccine used. Owners who fail to get
their pets vaccinated and keep the vaccinations up-to-date may be fined up
to $1,000.
• Wear gloves when handling your pet during and
after an encounter with a wild animal or some other suspect animal. If
you or your pet is exposed to a suspect rabid animal, if possible keep that
animal in sight until the police or a
Licensed
- Registered Trapper
arrives. A vaccinated pet that is exposed to rabies must
receive a rabies booster dose within 5 days of the event to be protected. An
unvaccinated or overdue pet exposed to rabies must be placed in a strict
quarantine for 6 months or destroyed.
 • Keep cats indoors
and dogs on a leash. Spay or neuter your pets.
Train your
pets, especially dogs, and never play aggressive games such as tug of
war with them.
• Never feed your pet outdoors to avoid attracting strays and wild animals.
• If your pet bites or scratches someone, confine your animal and contact
the Westchester County Health Department immediately. You should also contact the veterinarian for
your pet’s rabies vaccination records.
In each of the past five years,
more than 1,000 animal bites were reported to the Westchester County Health
Department. Nearly 900 animals are tested for rabies each year, but less
than 10 % tested positive for rabies in each of the past five years.
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If you, a family
member or your pet is exposed, call the
Westchester
County Department of Health immediately at
914-813-5000
(24 hour service) |
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In
2004, 46 animals (6.7 percent) were confirmed 
