Got a rabid animal… who you going to call?
It depends.
A Cochrane woman reported what appeared to be a “drunk skunk” – potential sign of a rabies infection – to the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI) in March, but due to the institute’s wildlife rehabilitation permit given by the Province, the staff was not permitted to seize the animal. The permit also states that if a skunk is brought to the facility, the staff must return the animal to where it is found or euthanize the animal on site.
CEI staff emailed Alberta Fish & Wildlife to inquire about what to do with the animal and after a series of back and forth emails and bounced to different department in the province, Clio Smeeton said it felt difficult to find a clear answer on who’s responsibility it was.
“We usually handle situations by a case-by-case basis (for a rabies situation), it is not clear cut but that is what we kind of have,” said Dr. Darcia Kostiuk, Alberta public health veterinarian from Edmonton.
When the Eagle inquired about rabies-infected animals, Alberta Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Brendan Cox from Edmonton stated in an email that Agriculture and Forestry was the “lead agency” on rabies surveillance.
When Agriculture and Forestry was contacted, staff admitted the process can get confusing.
If a human is exposed to the rabies virus, they can call health link or go to urgent care, but if an animal is exposed it depends on the type and size.
Alberta Fish & Wildlife will typically deal with wildlife bigger than a coyote, while municipal bylaw officers usually handle the smaller animals, and if a domestic animal is infected it should be taken to a veterinarian, Kostiuk explained.
But despite the general guidelines, the animal might still be under jurisdiction of another department depending on the case.
To avoid confusion, Kostiuk encourages anyone with rabies inquires to contact her on the 24 hour telephone line at 1-844-427-6847.
While there has not been a positive case of rabies in skunks in Alberta for the past two years, officers attempted to locate the skunk in question but could not find it again.
