Kiowa County Residents Cautioned About Skunks with Rabies

Prowers County Public Health and Environment is urging citizens of Kiowa County and all of SE Colorado to avoid any unnecessary contact with wild animals, especially any that appear to be sick or behaving in an unusual manner. A skunk and an unvaccinated dog in eastern Kiowa County were involved in a fight the week of February 6, 2012 and the skunk was immediately located and submitted for testing; public health officials were recently notified that the skunk tested positive for rabies. As the pet in this incident was unvaccinated, it unfortunately had to be euthanized. This further stresses the importance of keeping all pets current with their rabies vaccinations.

Since June 2007, when a rabid coyote attacked a Prowers County resident at their home in eastern Prowers County, the incident of rabies in skunks and other wildlife has been on the increase in eastern Colorado, including Prowers County. Jackie Brown, Director of Prowers County Public Health and Environment stated “there is concern that skunk rabies circulating in the area does increase the potential for spill over infections into other wildlife, domestic pets and livestock. It is important to be aware that there is rabid wildlife in the area and to know what to look for and what to do if you encounter a possibly rabid animal.”

Signs that wildlife may have rabies:

Wild animals which seem to be friendly, tame or show no fear of people

Nocturnal animals – coyotes, foxes, bats, skunks, and raccoons – that are active during the day

Animals that appear to be “drunk” – staggering movements while walking

Skunks attacking other animals – cows, goats, dogs, etc.

Signs that cats and dogs may have rabies:

Changes in normal behavior – a shy dog becoming aggressive or a friendly dog becoming withdrawn

Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or drinking

Animals that appear to be “drunk” – staggering movements while walking

Paralysis

Restlessness and irritability

Excess salivation and choking sounds like something is stuck in their throat

Signs that livestock my have rabies:

Excessive drooling and abnormal swallowing

Constant or abnormal vocalization and/or appear to be choking

Abnormal posture and wobbliness in the hindquarters, difficulty standing or walking

Unexplained aggressiveness

What to do if you encounter a potentially rabid animal:

Do not approach or attempt to handle a live animal

Keep children, pets, and livestock away

If a person or animal is bitten contact local animal control or the county public health office immediately

In order for an animal to be tested for rabies the brain must be intact (i.e. don’t shoot animals in their head). Do not handle the carcass without waterproof gloves. Use a shovel to place the carcass in a plastic bag.

If you encounter a potentially rabid animal call 911.

It is extremely important that ALL pet owners have their pets vaccinated against rabies and keep them current to protect both the pets and the families that they live with. Prowers County Public Health and Environment issued a “Mandatory Rabies Vaccination Order” June 21, 2007 requiring all unvaccinated cats and dogs in Prowers County to be vaccinated for rabies immediately by a licensed veterinarian. That order has been continued and will be in effect until further notice. The city of Lamar also requires that all cats and dogs are current with rabies vaccinations.

To report emergencies or sick or abnormally behaving animals, citizens should call the appropriate Emergency Dispatch office in their county by dialing 911. General questions about animal or wildlife behavior may be directed to the Lamar office of the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 336-6600. Questions about rabies and its related impacts on human health should be directed to Prowers County Public Health and Environment at 336-8721. For more information go to: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies/index.html

RECORDER’S NOTES
By Debra C. Lening
Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder

ELECTION ALERTS:

The last day to register to vote for the upcoming November 1, 2011 Coordinated Mail Ballot Election is Tuesday, October 3, 2011. In order to register to vote, a current driver’s license number, Colorado ID number, or at least the last four digits of your Social Security Number are required. NOTE: If you had an address change or a name change, you need to come in before this date to upgrade your voter information! Your other option is to go online at www.GoVoteColorado.com to make all of your changes! Either way, the changes MUST be done on or before October 3, 2011!

Anyone turning 18 years of age before the November 1, 2011 Coordinated Election must be registered to vote prior to the Tuesday, October 3, 2011 deadline in order to cast a ballot for this election.

The November 1, 2011 Coordinated Election will be a Mail Ballot Election. This means there will be no voting at your precinct on Election Day. The Kiowa County Clerk’s Office will have ballots mailed to all active registered electors AND inactive-failed to vote electors. The ballots will be mailed out between October 11 and October 14, 2011. If you have moved and mail was returned undeliverable, you may be inactive-returned mail. These inactive voters will not have a ballot automatically mailed. If you need to update information, please contact our office and we can assist you on what we need to activate your status, or go online at www.GoVoteColorado.com to make all of your changes! If you do not receive your ballot by October 21, 2011, contact our office at 719-438-5421.

Returning your ballot: Your ballot may be voted any time after you receive it in the mail. It is not necessary to wait until Election Day to vote. To vote your ballot, use a blue or black ink pen to mark your choice on the ballot. Be sure to place your voted ballot in the secrecy sleeve provided to ensure voter confidentiality. Please make sure that you read and sign the voter self-affirmation section located on the back of your return envelope. In order for your ballot to be counted, return the return envelope containing your voted ballot. You may either deliver your voted ballot to the Clerk and Recorder’s office located at 1305 Goff St. in Eads by hand, or provide adequate postage on the return envelope and mail it back to PO Box 37, Eads, CO 81036. Remember to allow enough time for mail delivery of your voted ballot. All ballots must be returned to the Clerk and Recorder’s office by Election Day, November 1, 2011 by 7:00 p.m. in order to be counted, whether by hand delivery or mail.

Identification for voting: If you are a first time voter, and ID was not shown at the time of registration, a photocopy of your ID must be enclosed in the ballot envelope, but should not be enclosed inside the secrecy sleeve with the voted ballot. How will you know if you need to provide ID with your ballot? Your mailing label will have an alpha letter “H” beside your name.

Example:	Ima New Voter “H”
	1234 Main Street
	Anywhere, CO 99999

Failure to provide ID will result in your ballot being treated as a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are counted when registration is verified, per 1-7.5-107 (3.5) (d), C.R.S. If you would like to view a sample of what you are voting on, an Election Notice will be published in the local newspapers on October 7, 2011. Both Kiowa County School Districts will have an election this year, along with a State question.

MAIL-IN Ballots: If you are going to be absent from your Kiowa County residence address of record during October 11 – October 14, 2011, you may want to apply for a mail-in ballot. Your ballot can be sent to your location where you are during this time, and will not be mailed to your home address.

Did you know that you can be placed on a permanent mail-in voter (PMIV) list? Yes, just come into our office, or contact us and we will send you a form to be placed on a permanent mail-in voter list. You may also make your changes online! You will receive your ballot by mail for all future elections. However, if you fail to vote, move, or your ballot is returned to our office undeliverable, then you will be taken off the permanent list and will have to reapply. 54% of the active voters in Kiowa County have already applied to be PMIV!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at (719) 438-5421. All county offices will be closed Monday, October 10, 2011for Columbus Day.

RABIES WARNING!!

Kiowa County Residents Cautioned About Skunks with Rabies

RECORDER’S NOTES By Debra C. Lening Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder

RECORDER’S NOTES
By Debra C. Lening
Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder