Rabid Beaver Identified in Harford, Health Officials Seeking Anyone Exposed

The Harford County Health Department is seeking the identity of a dog owner whose dog was bitten by a beaver in the Deer Creek Conservation Area on Sandy Hook Road last Friday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m., according to a release by the department.

At that time, a visitor of the park was attacked and bitten by a beaver, and it is believed that not long before or after that attack the beaver also attacked and bit the dog of another visitor to the park.

The human who was bitten was reportedly prescribed rabies post-exposure treatment, but the dog who was bitten has yet to be identified.

The health department insists tracking down this dog is vital for a number of reasons. Here’s one excerpt from its release:

“First and foremost is concern over the possibility of indirect exposure to the rabies virus by the dog’s owner. Since the virus remains viable in the animal’s saliva for up to two hours, it potentially could have been introduced into an open wound or a mucous membrane upon handling the dog, if it engaged the beaver. Second, it is imperative that the dog be properly managed. The Health Department needs to review its rabies vaccination history, determine the need for administration of a booster dose and follow-up regarding any appropriate quarantine or isolation arrangements.”

The health department also expressed concerns that other individuals and their pets may have been exposed to the same beaver, and as a result the department is seeking any persons with knowledge that they, their children or their pets may have come into contact with the beaver.

Those with information on the dog or the beaver are encouraged to contact the health department at 410-877-2300. The department also announced it has contacted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to assist in its ongoing investigation.