UPDATE: Dog Pound Quarantines Dogs After Cases of Distemper

On March 5th Muskingum County Dog Warden, Bryan Catlin, and representatives from the animal shelter met with the Muskingum County Commissioners after multiple dogs at the pound contracted Distemper.

Thursday, County Commissioner Jerry Lavy gave update on the situation. Lavy said starting Monday, March 16, the dogs housed at the pound were moved to the Muskingum County Fairground to begin a 30 day quarantine.

Lavy then elaborated on the solution, “Out of that group if none of those in the next 30 days come down with Distemper or shows any sign of Distemper they will be transported back to the dog pound.”

Lavy said the fairgrounds are renting the facilities to the pound for $600. In the meantime any dogs picked up are being held at Bark Avenue Boarding Kennel, Inc. while the facility on Newark Road is being cleaned.

“We are in the process of sanitizing it and disinfecting, and that will be going on for the next week or so to make sure it’s clean.”

According to Lavy 2 dogs tested positive for Distemper, and two began showing symptoms of the disease. All four had to be euthanized.

Distemper is extremely contagious among dogs, and it’s important to keep up on yearly vaccinations.