Rabies vaccine baits distributed throughout Allegheny County

Dog owners are encouraged to keep their pets on leashes for at least the next week while Allegheny County distributes rabies vaccines baits across the region, especially in parks.

The baiting takes place through Sept. 15.

According to Allegheny County’s website, previous baiting sessions have yielded problems with off-leash dogs consuming baits in parks.

The vaccine baits won’t cause any harm to the dogs, other than a possible upset stomach and vomiting. But, it interferes with the bait’s purpose, officials said.

Parks are common raccoon habitats and are therefore important areas to bait, officials said.

Fox Chapel’s Riding Meadow Park offers off-leash space for dogs to run.

Manager Gary Koehler posted a reminder on the borough’s website, encouraging people to keep their dogs leashed for the next week while crews are hand-distributing the baits.

Three different baits will be used. They are vaccine packets inside a fishmeal block, a packet coated in fishmeal and a packet coated in vanilla.

Hampton Manager Chris Lochner said he’s not aware of past problems from baiting at Hampton Community Park, a 195-acre park with nature trails and a pond. It draws people for its athletic fields, pool, farmers market and other options.

Allegheny County officials said there has been a significant reduction in human and pet exposures to the rabies virus in the last two decades, largely because of the vaccination program for wild raccoons.

The program is led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, in partnership with the county Health Department.

The baits are being delivered by hand and dropped by helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes.

Aircraft will be flying low over residential areas at times.

County officials said the safety risk to humans and animals from exposure to the vaccine is limited, but they urge the pubic to avoid contact if possible. If bait needs to be moved, a latex glove or plastic bag should be used. People should wash their hands if they have contact with the bait.

If a pet eats the bait, owners should avoid the pet’s saliva for 24 hours.

For more information, visit alleghenycounty.us.