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PUEBLO, COLO. -- Public Health Department officials announced Monday two more skunks tested positive for rabies in Pueblo. Both skunks were picked up east of the City of Pueblo due to observance of abnormal behavior from the skunks. Neither skunk had contact with humans or pets.

One of the skunks was near Ashley Avenue in the city, and the other was near the intersection of 30th Lane and Everett Road.

“It is important for people to stay away from wild mammals, especially during daylight hours, as rabies is in Pueblo,” Vicki Carlton, Consumer Protection Manager in the Environmental Health Division at the Pueblo City-County Health Department said in a statement.

These are the third and f ourth skunks found with rabies in Pueblo this year. In addition, six skunks and a fox have been found with rabies in El Paso County.

Health officials want to warn people to stay away from animals acting abnormally.

“Leaving pet food and trash outside will attract wildlife," Carlton said. "Please keep your pet food and trash away to minimize attracting wildlife."

Here are some rabies prevention tips from the Pueblo City - County Health Department:

- Ensure that dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated properly against rabies by a licensed veterinarian.  Rabies vaccination requires booster doses.

- Discuss vaccinating horses and other livestock with your veterinarian. If you believe your animal has been exposed to rabies, or possibly bitten by a rabid animal, immediately contact your veterinarian.

- Do not feed wild animals or allow your pets around them. Teach children to stay away from wild mammals. Do not keep pet food outside as that may attract wild animals.

- Protect all pets, particularly animals too young to be vaccinated, from contact with wild animals. Puppies and kittens should be vaccinated for rabies as early as three months old.

- Contact your veterinarian if your dog or cat is bitten or scratched by wild animals, such as skunks, bats, foxes or raccoons.

- If you or a family member has been bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal, contact your physician and Pueblo Animal Services at 719-544-3005.

- If you see a skunk or other wild mammal that is acting abnormally, such as stumbling or acting overly aggressive especially during daylight hours, make sure you keep children and pets away from the animal and call 9-1-1.

- To remove a dead skunk or other wildlife on your property, do not touch the animal.  Remove the carcass with a shovel or other tool and double bag it for the trash.

- Take steps to “bat proof” your home.