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Permalink Reply by Ciara & Macy on August 3, 2012 at 10:04pm

We had a skunk living in our crawl space before but never saw it outside. We just watched Macy more carefully when outside and always kept an eye out. I feel like that is all you really can do until the skunk is removed from the neighborhood. Sorry I can't be of much more help

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Permalink Reply by Marcie on August 3, 2012 at 10:36pm

I can deal with the neighborhood wildlife, it is just when it is showing signs of rabies. There have been cases in the next town over.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on August 3, 2012 at 11:09pm

We occasionally have a skunk pass through...yes, I would be worried but I guess just keep a close watch on her.  I am more worried about racoons around here than skunks as they are rabies carriers and can be mean:( Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Snickmom on August 3, 2012 at 11:18pm

It sounds like it was on its last legs, and isn't going to be able attack anyone who is not right near it. If you look outside carefully before you go out, you should be fine. They lose their ability to function as they near death. It seems likely the game warden will make it a priority, keep us posted.

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Dusek on August 5, 2012 at 9:00am

Depends on where you live, you could "take care" of it yourself...   Or what I found out when reporting an accident that was in a very dangerous location, play things up....in the case of the accident "I think I saw fluids" "yes, near the river" (I didn't pay attention to fluids, and they were across the highway from the river sooooo it was all relative)  

in your case, play up the children in the yard, heck, tell the dispatcher that if she doesn't get someone over there to deal with it you will shoot it yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Marcie on August 5, 2012 at 12:36pm

The game warden called back yesterday morning. I told him last time I saw the skunk it was under the neighbors swing set. He said if we saw it again to call back. He also said if an animal was that disoriented that it would be legal to dispatch it safely. I think the neighbor who yard it moved to took care of it. I haven't seen him to ask. There were a few other skunks in the litter this one came from, not sure about them.

Another neighbor has been having fox issues. He was out watering the garden after dark last night and it walked up and growled at him. He thinks it was going to get a drink from the sprinkler and was surprised.

I kept Becca on leash in the yard yesterday. Today she has been off leash to do agility practice. I checked the yard and hedge first.

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Permalink Reply by Lemmy Winks on August 5, 2012 at 5:16pm

Might be dementia, or could of been someones pet. Skunks alone, are something you want to steer clear of anyways, so just keep avoiding, and take extra caution. If you notice it stomping its front legs, run... that's the warning before the spray.
Skunks can also be very bold. My uncle pet one once while walking into the house thinking it was the house cat "Fluffy", it was to his surprise when he opened the door and Fluffy was sleeping on the couch lol. My mother had a family of skunks walk right passed her, crossing the road.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on August 5, 2012 at 5:57pm

Here is a good site I found to determine if it's likely the skunk has rabies:

http://www.wildskunkrescue.com/rabies.htm

Personally I would keep he on a short leash and watch carefully if you think it might be rabid.  You don't want to take any chances with that.

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