A disoriented skunk which lost a fight with a South Logan dog has been confirmed to have been rabid.

Environmentalist Chris Dixon of the Logan County Health Department said Wednesday that tests show that the skunk was infected with rabies.

The dog, which makes his home with residents of the Wash Gunn Road, was bitten in a fight with the skunk but is expected to survive it because his vaccination was current. He will receive a booster shot and be watched by his owner.

Here's how N-D&L outdoors columnist describes the situation:

"I received a call from an Adairville man stating he had experienced a 'skunk chasing his dog' around in circles. He was concerned about disease, since the dog eventually got tired of the 'game' and finally attacked the skunk, killing it, but in the process was bitten.

"The symptoms he described to me could have been distemper, but rabies is certainly not ruled out, especially when it comes to skunks. I advised the man to ensure his dog's shots were up to date, consult a vet, and turn the skunk over to the health department for testing. Our readers should be aware that there is a potential problem.

"If you have outside pets, ensure their shots are up to date, and if you observe any animal acting in a strange manner report it."

Dixon says it's important for those who see a wild animal acting strangely either to get away from it as quickly as possible or kill it. "If you shoot the animal, don't shoot the head," the environmentalist says. "The head is the part the lab needs to test for rabies."

Dixon says the bitten dog should be observed for 45 days but not quarantined, since it was vaccinated. Hathcock talked with several animal and human health care professionals who gave varying times of observation from 10 to 120 days.

Dixon said his department confirms from two to three cases of rabies in Logan County each year and that he will start reporting them to the media.