Peabody police shoot rabid skunk at residence
Chief asks residents to be wary of wild animals
Peabody Police Chief Jeff Pohlman has issued a statement urging citizens to be wary of wild animals on or around their property.
Pohlman was called March 12 to the Chad Dameron residence at 5th and Sycamore when family members saw a skunk during daylight hours.
Pohlman shot and killed the animal. It was sent to a lab for testing and the results were positive for rabies.
"People need to be on the lookout because there are a lot of skunks, possums, and raccoons in town this spring," said Pohlman. "These are all nocturnal animals so if they are observed out and about during the day, the chances are good that they are rabid."
He also advised double checking the rabies vaccinations on household pets. "If we shoot a rabid (wild) animal, and there is evidence it has tangled with a domestic animal, the pet will be put down if its rabies vaccinations are not up to date."
Pohlman said that Dameron's dog had current shots and only needed a booster shot after its run-in with the rabid skunk.
"Most important," Pohlman said, "is that people contact us immediately if they spot any wild animal around their home. They shouldn't wait to see what the animal might do. They should call right away."
The phone number at the Peabody police department is 983-2133, or people can call 911.
