Community Corner
Take Dogs to Dog Parks at Own Risk: County
Dog owners are warned that taking dogs into common public space could be dangerous to their health during a canine flu outbreak
Dog owners are urged to keep their dogs from socializing, including within dog parks within Cook County.
Donna Alexander, administrator of Cook County Animal and Rabies Control, “strongly recommends” that pet owners not use dog friendly areas until the epidemic is contained, according to a statement.
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Alexander this week recommended that all dog friendly areas post signage stating that the County and surrounding areas are experiencing an epidemic of Canine Influenza Respiratory Disease that has caused the deaths of at least six dogs in the region, and affected roughly 1,000.
A dog park in Evergreen Park already shut down temporarily last week as word of the flu spread.
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Core vaccinations traditionally given to dogs are not protective against the canine influenza virus that is now circulating. Dog owners who continue to bring their pets to dog parks and the like enter at their own risk, she said.
Alexander recommends inoculating dogs with the canine flu vaccine.
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