One of the signs of rabies in dead animals is broken teeth. Another sign is the presence of porcupine quills in the face. Animals normally wary of porcupines may approach them when rabid. Often, when fox populations are high, hungry foxes may be seen around communities as they look for food. This type of change in behaviour is understandable and should not be considered a sign of rabies.
Historical records suggest that rabies has been in Labrador as long as people can remember.
It doesn't stay for very long, usually arriving in February month, and leaving by October. In past years, it would only affect the more northern communities such as Nain, Davis Inlet, and Hopedale. The map shows those communities that saw at least one case in 1996. Nothing can be done to stop the foxes from coming down our coast with this disease. What we can do is expect that it will probably happen and do what is reasonable to prepare ourselves.