Rabid Fox Found in Stearns County Dog Kennel

A fox tested positive for rabies Nov. 29, 2024.

On Nov. 24, the owner of two dogs heard barking outside. He found the dogs had a fox cornered inside their kennel. The property owner shot and killed the fox from outside the kennel and used a shovel to scoop it into a plastic garbage bag. During the encounter neither dog appeared to have direct contact with the fox, nor did the owner find any wounds on the animals. The next day, both dogs received rabies boosters at their local veterinary clinic and the veterinarian confirmed a lack of wounds or injuries. The fox was submitted for rabies testing. The dogs are trained hunting dogs and live mainly outside/in their kennel.

Because of the possibility of exposure due to proximity, the Board recommended a 120-day period of confinement and observation for both dogs.

The Minnesota Department of Health determined the owner and veterinarian were not exposed and did not require rabies post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

The Board does not typically issue rabies alerts for a non-domestic animal. We do not often see rabies in fox and this is the first case since 2019.

The Board publishes rabies alerts when a domestic animal tests positive for rabies in Minnesota. If you have questions about a suspected or confirmed rabies exposure to domestic animals call 651-201-6808. To find information on rabies in animals, and to view a map of positive cases in Minnesota, visit our website https://www.bah.state.mn.us/rabies/.

If you have questions concerning rabies exposure in people, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414.

Minnesota does not have a comprehensive statewide law requiring rabies vaccination in domestic animals. While we work to get legislation passed to protect animals with vaccinations, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health recommends all dogs, cats, ferrets, cattle, sheep, and horses be vaccinated against rabies virus. In the event an animal is exposed or potentially exposed, animals should receive a rabies vaccination booster within 72 hours of exposure.