Current:Home > ScamsRabies scare in Michigan prompted by an unusual pet: Skunks -RiskWatch
Rabies scare in Michigan prompted by an unusual pet: Skunks
View
Date:2025-04-15 07:43:35
Michigan health officials are warning residents about potential rabies exposures stemming from skunks kept as pets in the state.
A skunk with ties to an Attica, Michigan, skunk breeder tested positive for rabies in late November, and authorities don't know how or when the animal was infected.
“If you have purchased one of these skunks from these facilities in the last six months, we are urging you to contact your veterinarian to have the animal examined," said Natasha Bagdasarian, a chief medical executive with the state health department.
Can you have a skunk as a pet?
Rose's Skunks, a breeder the rabid skunk was allegedly connected to, says on its Facebook page that it's been breeding "quality domestic skunks" for purchase for over 25 years.
The niche exotic pets are illegal in many states, although there are few authoritative sources online tracking laws in different parts of the country.
In Michigan, residents can only have pet skunks if they were bred in captivity, and only if they have a permit issued by the state. The license is called a "permit to hold wild game captive," Michigan's Department of Natural Resources website says.
“Where skunks are concerned, it’s illegal to take them from the wild for purposes of rehabilitation or to import them from another state or country," said Jason Haines, the law enforcement chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Domesticated skunks are descented when they are between two and five weeks of age, according to PBS's Nature.
Skunks have been bred in captivity for over 70 years, according to the program, and "are known to be quite docile and loving."
In Attica, Michigan, Rose's Skunks advertises descented baby skunks for sale, including albino varities.
"We do all our own descenting so the come ready and fresh as a daisy for you," one post from 2021 reads.
What happened with skunks in Michigan?
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a skunk purchased from Countryside Feather Farm/Rose’s Skunks in Attica or through a Chesterfield Township/New Baltimore seller connected to Rose’s Skunks tested positive for rabies on Nov. 29.
"If the skunk you purchased is showing signs of illness or has died, please contact your veterinarian and health care provider immediately as you may be at risk for rabies and require treatment," Bagdasarian said.
It's possible anyone who purchased a skunk from one of those facilities in the last six months may be exposed to rabies, a department statement says. It can take months for the rabies virus to show up in a skunk after the animal first encounters it, Bagdasarian said.
The skunk seller connected to Rose's Skunks could have been mixing domesticated skunks with wild skunks, which could have led to the infection, according to an investigation conducted by a local country's animal control.
"It is possible rehabilitated wild skunks were co-mingled with bred and captive skunks," authorities said.
To avoid rabies and other harmful exposure to viruses found in the wild, experts warn people to not engage with wildlife, vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies and follow these additional protocols.
Do skunks get rabies often?
Skunks are one of several wild animal species that commonly carry rabies, according to the Humane Society.
Skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats are "primary carriers" of the virus, which is found in mammals. It's transmitted through bites, scratches and saliva from an infected animal, and it's deadly in humans once someone becomes ill.
BackgroundWhy rabies is dangerous to humans, pets
Skunks in the wild may be rabid if you notice them exhibiting limb paralysis, bold or unprovoked aggression, disorientation, uncharacteristic tameness, or if you see them circling in place, according to the Humane Society.
Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system. It is fatal for humans if contracted, but can be preventable thanks to vaccinations and appropriate medical care after potential exposures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contributing: Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
veryGood! (553)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Busch Gardens sinkhole spills millions of gallons of wastewater, environmental agency says
- Kendall Jenner, Latto, Dylan Mulvaney, Matt Rife make Forbes 30 Under 30 list
- Jennifer Aniston Shares One Way She's Honoring Matthew Perry's Legacy
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- How can we break the cycle of childhood trauma? Help a baby's parents
- Groom kills his bride and 4 others at wedding reception in Thailand, police say
- 'We need to do more': California to spend $300 million to clear homeless encampments
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Coal power, traffic, waste burning a toxic smog cocktail in Indonesia’s Jakarta
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Michigan man accused of keeping dead wife in freezer sentenced to up to 8 years in prison
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs temporarily steps down as chairman of Revolt following sexual assault lawsuits
- Small plane crashes into car on Minnesota roadway; pilot and driver suffer only minor injuries
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Where to watch animated film 'Reindeer in Here' this holiday
- Blinken seeks a new extension of the Gaza cease-fire as he heads again to the Middle East
- Connecticut woman sues Chopt restaurants after allegedly chewing on a portion of a human finger in a salad
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Megan Fox Shares She Had Ectopic Pregnancy Years Before Miscarriage With Her and Machine Gun Kelly's Baby
Five journalists were shot in one day in Mexico, officials confirm
Rosalynn Carter honored in service attended by Jimmy Carter
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Kendall Jenner Reveals How She Navigates Heated Conversations With Momager Kris Jenner
Burkina Faso’s state media says hundreds of rebels have been killed trying to seize vulnerable town
Want to help beyond Giving Tuesday? Here's why cash is king for charities around US