PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Health Department has issued an advisory to pet owners in and around the city after a stray puppy in Olney tested positive for rabies.
ACCT Philly officers responded to a call about a stray puppy, believed to be between 2-5 months old, on Wellens Street near North American Street on Jan. 18.
Sarah Barnett, ACCT Philly executive director says the puppy, which was found with some bite wounds, was likely dumped by a backyard breeder or someone who recently bought the animal.
ACCT says shortly after they treated the bites, the puppy started showing neurological symptoms consistent with rabies.
"She was having trouble, she didn't really stand up, she was falling over, so we euthanized her and sent her out for testing for rabies as a precaution,” Barnett said. “Really, we didn't think she would actually come back positive. She did have it which is very unusual.”
The puppy is the second dog since 2022 to test positive for rabies in Philadelphia.
"If you get a puppy, you get a dog, get them from someone who is responsible — a rescue, a shelter, if you are getting them from an individual, make sure they have gotten their vaccines. Make sure you keep up with their vaccines. I know a lot of people aren't able to keep up with them due to cost, but there are a lot of low-cost clinics in the area,” Barnett said.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health says rabies — transmitted by bites and scratches as well as saliva from a rabid animal — is fatal to humans and there is a tight window to get treatment.
An effort is underway to locate the rabid puppy's littermates and those who might have had contact with them.
The Health Department asks anyone who had contact with this puppy or knows any information on where the puppy came from to call 215 685-6741.