AMHERST, Mass.—Rabid skunks, raccoons and foxes are fairly common in Massachusetts, but health officials in Amherst are reporting that a sheep in town has tested positive for rabies.
Amherst animal welfare officer Carol Hepburn says the sheep was one of three kept in a pen owned by three families at a cohousing complex. The town was informed of the infected sheep Wednesday.
Town officials are recommending that anyone who had direct contact with the animal in the 14 days prior to Oct. 8 be evaluated to see if vaccination is needed.
Hepburn says it's rare for farm animals to contract rabies, which is passed through saliva. She thinks the sheep got the viral disease from a wild animal that got into the pen.
The other two sheep have been quarantined.
