The Texas Department of State Health Services notified the Midlothian Community Services/ Animal Services division on Wednesday April 26, 2017 that a skunk taken from the Camelot Estates Subdivision tested positive for rabies. The skunk was killed by dogs. The dogs were current on their rabies vaccinations. As recommended by the Texas Department of Health Services the dogs are under a mandatory 45 day quarantine. This is the second skunk that has tested positive for rabies in the Midlothian area in the past few weeks. The first skunk that tested positive for rabies was taken from the Rosebud Subdivision in late March.

Once infected, rabies is a virus that has a 100 percent fatality rate when left untreated in mammals including humans.

State Law requires all cats and dogs over 4 months of age to be current on rabies vaccinations.

Public health officials recommend the following precautions to protect everyone from exposure to rabies:

*Report any sick or strange acting wildlife.

*Vaccinate pets and livestock.

*Vaccinate livestock with frequent human contact.

*Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home.

*Do not feed strays.

*Do not approach an unknown animal, either wild or domestic.

*Report all animal bites and any contact with bats to the animal services. Human rabies can be prevented with a series of shots.

*Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing food outside.

*Children should be instructed to tell an adult immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.

To report loose animals or sick wildlife, please contact the police non-emergency number at 972-775-3333 or Community Services at 972-775-7614.