A recent rabies incident in Weld County is a dreadful reminder about the dangers of rescuing wildlife. In late April a person picked up a young fox in Fremont County and took it home to Weld County. Within a week the animal bit four people, scratched several more and exposed a half dozen others to rabies. As a result, the people went through a regiment of anti-rabies vaccinations.
Rabies can be present in a variety of wildlife species.
During spring and early summer, people encounter newborn animals in urban areas, in the mountains and on the plains. According to Dean Riggs, a Colorado Division of Wildlife officer in Ca on City, most people have good intentions when they pickup wildlife, but are unaware of the risks associated with handling wild animals. Wild animals can carry rabies, distemper or other illnesses. It is also possible for the animals to carry fleas that might subsequently spread disease to humans or pets. Picking up wildlife is not only risky for people, but more often than not is bad for the animal.