OTSELIC – The Chenango County Health Department has confirmed that one case of rabies has been detected in an animal found in Beaver Meadow. In the small hamlet, located between the towns of Plymouth and Otselic on the northern side of Chenango County, a rabid skunk was found.

Beaver Meadow resident James Lepera and his wife noticed that the animal was behaving in a strange fashion. The Leperas said the skunk had been involved in an altercation with their dog, a pit bull, and had acted in an aggressive manner toward members of the family. Because of the skunk’s odd behavior, it was shot, and the Leperas contacted the health department to determine if the animal was indeed infected.

According to Health Department Director Glenn Kaiser, testing showed that the animal was infected with rabies. Although the Leperas’ dog had received a current rabies shot, Kaiser explained that secondary contamination was still a potential issue. The Leperas had examined their animal after the altercation, and according to Kaiser, doing so could potentially expose the owners to the rabies virus as well.