A dog in South Jersey is being monitored for the next few weeks after getting into a fight with a rabid skunk, according to the Camden County Department of Public Health. This all unfolded on Aug. 14, 2026, when the dog and the skunk got into a fight in the dog’s backyard in Cherry Hill, offic ials said. An animal control officer was able to capture the skunk and took it for rabies testing, officials explained. The test results came back as positive on Aug. 19, health officials reported. Although the dog’s family was able to provide proof of rabies vaccination, the dog was given a booster and is being confined and monitored for the next 45 days, according to officials. Camden County officials said they do not believe any humans interacted with the skunk. Tips to protect your pet from rabies: Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals.  If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately. Contact your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. They may be unvaccinated and could be infected by the disease. Tips to protect yourself from rabies: Enjoy wild animals such as raccoons, skunks and foxes from afar.  Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or liter. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.  Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance. Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they seem friendly. Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people or pets. When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries. Rabies is common in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Tens of thousands of people die of rabies each year in these countries. ...read more read less