After receiving three reports of rabid animals in just over a week, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is warning the public to be careful of wildlife and get prompt medical attention if bitten.
On March 28, an βapparently illβ fox was found in a pool area near homes in the Picture Rocks area on the northwest side and two days later, a βclearly illβ fox was found on the front porch of a house off Sweetwater Drive, according to a news release.
The Sweetwater fox died and the Picture Rocks fox was euthanized, but both were submitted for rabies testing.
On March 26, a SaddleBrooke woman was bitten by a skunk in her garage. She was treated for rabies at a hospital, but the skunk wasnβt captured, the release said.
People are advised to stay away from wildlife that appears to be ill or is behaving abnormally, as well as to avoid touching any dead wildlife.
Dogs, cats and horses should be regularly vaccinated for rabies and a veterinarian should be consulted if any domestic animals are injured by wildlife, the release said.
In Pima County this year, there have been nine confirmed cases of rabies in skunks, foxes, bats and bobcats. Cochise County has had seven confirmed cases of rabies and Santa Cruz County has had five, the release said.
