Madison County Democrat

Dog Quarantine Is Still On In Madison County

Man Who Handled Dog Reported Ill From Treatment

Lee Zimmerman, Plumwood, who has been under the care of a physician and taking the Pasteur treatment after examining a rabid dog he believed had a bone lodged in its throat, was admitted to Grant Hospital in Columbus last Thursday for further medical treatment. Reported in serious condition at that time, he was understood to be ill from the treatment rather than from infection.

According to the County Dog Warden Walter E. Woods, the dog was later taken to a veterinarian who pronounced it afflicted with "dumb rabies" and had the diagnosis confirmed in a Columbus laboratory examination.

Warden Woods said that Mr. Zimmerman, after discovering the dog was ill, had been examining it about the mouth and throat on the theory it might have swallowed a bone. Unable to find the cause of its illness, he took it to a veterinarian. Later the veterinarian notified him that he believed the dog had rabies. Mr. Woods took the dog's head to Columbus for the laboratory test. The result was positive.

On learning of the case, Dr. Robert A. Vogel, Health Commissioner invoked a 30-day quarantine on all dogs in a three-township area, including Somerford, Monroe and Deercreek, effective May 24. He announced that the quarantine would be in effect no less than 30 days.

The quarantine was put into effect as a precautionary measure against the possibility of other dogs in the area being infected with the rabies and spreading the disease, as well as for protection of residents in that area.

No further reports of infected dogs or other animals in Madison County have been made either by the Health Department or the Dog Warden.

Warden Woods said Thursday that he had received excellent cooperation from dog owners throughout the quarantine area and that he had good reason to believe he could expect little or no trouble with dogs being at large in that area.

In the event any person suspects a dog or other animal is acting abnormally, they should notify the Dog Warden at once by telephoning 314 London or by leaving word at the County Auditor's office, Mr. Woods stated.