Puppies Sought in Connection With Rabid Dog in Monmouth County

Aberdeen, NJ - After it was revealed that a rabid pit bull bit three people in Aberdeen week, the Monmouth County Health Department is now seeking information from anyone who may have acquired, purchased, adopted or come into contact with pit bull puppies in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen in the past three weeks.

“We are currently working to identify anyone who may have come into contact with pit bull puppies that may have been exposed to a confirmed case of rabies in an adult dog,” said Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Public Health Coordinator. “We need anyone who may be in possession of, have information about, or been in contact with pit bull puppies from the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen to contact the Health Department immediately.”

Dogs found near infected animal were lactating

On Wednesday, the state Department of Health confirmed that a pit bull from Aberdeen /puppi. It did not have a rabies vaccine.

“Four adult dogs and one puppy have been removed from the residence and put in quarantine,” said Merkel. “Two of the dogs are lactating, which indicates that they may have been nursing puppies very recently. If that is the case, the puppies may have been exposed to rabies carried by the now deceased, rabid dog.”

The five dogs removed from the residence will remain in supervised quarantine with the local animal control for six months. This is the time period necessary to determine if those dogs have contracted rabies as well.

The dog bit three people before it died of the disease, and came in contact with a fourth. All four have been referred to their healthcare providers to begin rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, county health officials said.

The original pit died from the disease, and then a necropsy was performed, which confirmed the rabies virus.

The Monmouth County Health Department phone number is 732-431-7456, ext. 8580. After regular business hours, call 732-845-2004.

Stock image of a pit bull/puppies.