South Dakota reports fall in animal rabies cases in 2010

The Department of Health's Lon Kightlinger says South Dakota had 32 rabid Pets animal cases in 2010, down from 53 the previous year. Nine of those cases were domestic animals. Kightlinger says it's important for people to keep their pets vaccinated because rabies is always a possibility. He says the skunk population is the main tank of the disease.

Seven animal rabies cases have been reported so distant in 2011. Infected wild animals can pass rabies to pets or livestock, which can in turn expose humans. Officials say wild animals that appear tame can be rabid, so it's important that people don't attempt to catch or handle wildlife.