Ben Madilynn
HORN LAKE, Miss. (WMC) – While hundreds of animals need homes across the Mid-South Glenn Andrews, director of the Horn Lake Animal Shelter says, there’s another growing concern.
Rabies is such a ― it’s such an unknown thing here in our region but it’s here. It’s in our wildlife. Like we know, for a fact, rabies is alive and well and it’s all around us. So we have to be – as stewards of the city – for safety purposes, this is what we do, said Andrews.
His concerns grew after a recent dog attack.
According to Horn Lake police, a 4-year-old was bitten by a dog last month on Sept. 20.
Police responded, and the child was taken to the hospital for treatment.
“It just would have been wonderful if the citizens had called animal control, and then once we stepped up … we would have been able to assess the situation and moved with haste to get that pet into a quarantine per the health department standards,” said Andrews.
Andrews also says it’s standard to quarantine a dog for 10 days after an attack, to ensure the dog doesn’t have rabies.
Instead, Andrews says the dog remained with its owner following the attack.
“It is those precious hours, where, that dog could have maybe hurt another child, or could have hurt another person, we just don’t know,” said Andrews.
Police say the owner of the dog was charged with, a vicious dog, which is a misdemeanor ― punishable by a $50.00 to $1,000 fine and possible jail time.
Andrews says he wants people to know to call Horn Lake Animal Shelter in emergencies involving animals.
“We have to be completely aware of what we need to do so that we can protect our citizens here,” said Andrews.
In Memphis, pet owners must notify Memphis Animal Services within 24 hours after a bite incidence or the first indication of rabies.
They also must give proof of current rabies vaccination and start the quarantine process at home or a licensed veterinary clinic.
That’s something Andrews says should have happened in Horn Lake.
“We really want to spread that word to call us if there’s a problem with animals in our city. We’re responding. We’re responding in real-time. We’re clocking ourselves for how long it takes, I mean we’re doing everything that we can so that we are giving the response that the citizens need,” said Andrews.
Not only does the Horn Lake Animal Shelter want to hear about your animal concerns and emergencies but it also needs people to adopt or foster.
The shelter has more than 100 dogs and over 100 cats.
You can reach out directly to the shelter by calling 662-393-5857.
They’re open every day from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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