BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 30, 2024
Claude-E, a four-month old border collie, couldn’t resist the fishmeal coating pressed onto plastic packets he found scattered along a walkway in a downtown Houlton park on Aug. 21. The savory vaccine treats that Claude-E loved were actually meant for raccoons as part of a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife Services National Rabies Management Program aimed at preventing the spread of the viral disease. The oral rabies vaccine baits distributed in Maine cannot cause rabies and are safe if eaten by domestic dogs and cats, according to national program rabies field coordinator Jordana Kirby. Eating a large number of baits, like Claude-E did, may cause pets — particularly dogs — to have an upset stomach temporarily, but there are no long-term health risks.