Rabies & Dog Bites Lead to Euthanized Pets

Susy Owen

Attorney

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Rabies is on the rise in North Carolina. In fact, officials in Mitchell and Yancey counties are advising residents to keep food and pets away from wild animals since they could be infected with the disease. Apparently, the increase in North Carolina is due to the large raccoon population in that state.

The numbers are high. In the last few months as many as eight pets have had to be euthanized due to contact with infected animals. Additionally, 12 people in the area have been treated for rabies. Mitchell and Yancey counties had 10 reported cases of rabies last year. Several months ago, Mitchell sheriff's Chief Deputy Donald Street was forced to euthanize his dog of twelve years because he failed to keep his pet's shots up to date, and it was feared the dog had come in contact with the racoon."I had that dog for 12 years," Street said. "It was hard to have him put down."

At the risk of sounding harsh, what makes even worse is knowing that you are responsible for the death of your own pet due to your negligence. You've heard the slogan "If you can't vet them, don't get them." We really owe it to any pets in our care to take excellent care of them. They really do rely on us completely.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Property Owners' Liability.