5 Rabid Skunks Reported in Hellertown

Five reports of rabid skunks have been made to the Hellertown Police Department in a one-week time period, according to information posted Friday on the Hellertown Borough website.

According to the posted statement, "on each occasion the skunk has been destroyed (or in the case of one, died prior to the officer’s arrival)."

Residents are being encouraged to make sure that their pets' rabies vaccinations are up to date and to keep pets leashed when they're outdoors.

Signs that an animal could be infected with the disease include:

• Behavior that is inconsistent with the animal's normal behavior.
• Appearance of the animal in an unusual place and/or at an abnormal time.

To report a suspected rabid animal, call the Hellertown Police Department at 610-838-7040 or the county's non-emergency number (610-759-2200).

If a person or pet comes into physical contact with an animal acting abnormally, the borough's advice is to "call 911 immediately and the police will respond."

Residents should never try to capture or corner an animal that might have rabies.

More information about rabies is available online at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.