OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha family's puppy was euthanized this week after being exposed to rabies, the Nebraska Humane Society reported.
The group said it's the first time in five years a pet in Douglas has had to be euthanized due to rabies exposure, the Omaha World-Herald reported.
The family found its American Eskimo puppy playing with a bat in its backyard last week, said Kellie Brown, director of field operations with the Nebraska Humane Society. The bat tested positive for rabies, and on Tuesday, the puppy began showing symptoms, Brown said.
Rabies testing can't be performed on live animals. Initial tests on the puppy after it was euthanized came back negative for rabies, but Brown said rabies is difficult to detect through testing in its early stages.
The family is now getting rabies shots to prevent any infection, she said.