HOPATCONG BOROUGH, NJ (Warren County) – Hopatcong police have issued a warning after a number of rabies cases identified in wild animals have surged in and around the borough.
Protect yourself and your pets by having them vaccinated against rabies, police said.
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system. It is most often seen in wildlife such as raccoons, bats, skunks, groundhogs, and foxes. Domestic cats, dogs, and ferrets can also get rabies, if not vaccinated. If a rabid animal bites you, or its saliva or tissue gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or any open wound, you can get rabies. Rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, police said.
The best way to prevent rabies is to vaccinate and license your pets. The Borough Of Hopatcong requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies, and licensed. License applications can be found on Hopatcong.org.
Protect yourself and your pets from rabies:
- Vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animals against rabies.
- Avoid contact with wild animals. Enjoy wildlife from a distance.
- Do not let pets roam free outdoors unsupervised.
- Cover garbage cans securely and do not leave pet food outside.
- Prevent bats from entering your home. If you find a bat, do not touch it. Only let it go if you saw the bat enter the home and are absolutely sure no people or household pets had any contact with it.
- If you or your pet has an encounter with a wild animal, contact Hopatcong Police Department immediately at 973-398-5000.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
