Rabid Skunk Attacks Dog In Cherry Hill

By Robin Culverwell

CHERRY HILL, NJ (CBS) - A rabid skunk has turned up in Cherry Hill -- not unusual, perhaps, but worthy of a reminder of how to stay safe.

The skunk was injured and later put down following a confrontation last week with a family dog in the backyard of a home in the Barclay Farm section of Cherry Hill Township.

The skunk had appeared sick and now testing confirms it did indeed carry rabies.

"If you seen any wildlife that shouldn't be there, like raccoons at 1 o'clock in the afternoon or skunks at 10 in the morning on your property, contact your local animal control officer," said Camden County Health Department's Stephen Walter.

In this case - the dog that mauled the skunk did have its rabies shots, so it's now being monitored after getting a rabies booster shot.

Good thing too, because had the dog not been vaccinated, it veterinarians would've recommended euthanizing it.