Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- A total of seven rabies cases have been reported in El Paso County in 2011, and health experts are urging pet owners to get their pets vaccinated.

According to El Paso County Publifc Health, six skunks and one fox have tested positive for rabies this year. The fox was reported in the northeast part of the county, and one of the skunks was found in the central Powers Boulevard corridor.

“Based on the locations of where these rabid skunks are being found, we know rabies is being detected in both rural and urban parts of the county. We strongly encourage the public in all the cities and towns within El Paso County to stay alert and take precautions to prevent rabies. These rabid skunks have been aggressive and have injured dogs and livestock,” Kandi Buckland, R. N., M.P.A., executive director of El Paso County Public Health said in a statement.  “Unvaccinated pets or livestock are likely to get infected with rabies from these exposures, and that means the owner or family members are at risk. Rabies is a fatal disease, so we want to be sure that our community is hearing the message about how important it is to keep pets and livestock rabies vaccination up to date through a licensed veterinarian.”

In Pueblo County, two skunks have tested positive for rabies so far this year.

Health officials said getting pets vaccinated is essential. They also offered a few other tips to prevent rabies:

- Ensure that dogs and cats are vaccinated properly against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies vaccination requires booster doses. Discuss vaccinating horses and other livestock with your veterinarian.

- Don’t feed wild animals or allow your pets around them. Teach children to stay away from wild animals. 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 can be vaccinated for rabies as early as 3 months old, depending on the vaccine used.

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

- If you or a family member has been bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal unknown to you, contact your doctor and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region without delay.

- 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 the Division of Wildlife to report the location.

- 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.