In Sheridan, Colorado, adopters, volunteers and the entire staff at Moms and Mutts Colorado, a rescue organization for pregnant and nursing dogs, were ordered to euthanize an entire litter of puppies after one puppy tested positive for rabies.
The founder of the rescue, Aron Jones posted the devastating news on Facebook a few days ago:
This past week we have had a tragedy at the rescue. One of our adopted puppies tested positive for Rabies on 8/7/24. I want to assure everyone that none of our other puppies were exposed to rabies. This puppy was from the Celebrity Kids litter and did not show symptoms until 7/29/24. The last time the infected puppy was with any of the other puppies was at the 7/20/24 adoption event. The puppy did not have any symptoms of infection until 7/29/24, and did not present as rabid until 8/1/24. ‘A bite by the animal during the incubation period does not carry a risk of rabies because the virus has not yet made it to the saliva.’
A local couple who had adopted one of the puppies were both heartbroken and frustrated after the adorable puppy they had already bonded with was ordered to be euthanized by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The couple told the department they were willing to quarantine their puppy after it had been checked by a veterinarian who stated the puppy was healthy and showed no signs of being infected.
The last time the infected puppy had been with any of the other puppies was at the July 20 adoption event. The infected puppy showed no signs of being ill until July 29 and was diagnosed as having rabies on August 1.
Unfortunately, the public health order threatened the couple with a $1,000 fine and/or jail time if they didn’t surrender their puppy to be euthanized.
Dogs can only be tested for rabies after they are euthanized. The puppy was not infected. Several other puppies also tested negative after they were put down. All the people who had adopted the puppies wanted, was the opportunity to quarantine their puppies as was first suggested.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment posted the following statement:
in these situations, the exposed animals should be euthanized immediately or placed on a strict 120 day quarantine in a facility that can secure them away from humans and other animals…
The couple, who had named their sweet puppy Musubi gave their puppy the best last day of his life they could. That, however, and the confusion and stories that constantly changed as to the puppies lives and then their untimely deaths just broke everyone’s hearts.
they need to find another way that’s so horrible 😭😭😭
This is BS! Over reacting and causing this pain to those willing to adopt. Quarantine before taking drastic measures. Shame on them for their actions