Pet owners warned about rabies

Pet owners would have had their pets vaccinated

Pet owners from Jersey who were in South West France with their animals in August are being warned about a confirmed case of rabies.

The fatal viral disease of the nervous system has been detected in a dog in the Bordeaux area.

French authorities say it was infectious between 2 and 21 August.

Anyone who thinks their pet may have had contact with a four-month old long-haired chestnut brown dog, should contact their vet immediately.

During August, the owner walked the dog in Bordeaux city centre, by the river and in the botanical gardens.

He also visited Gironde on the 2nd, the festivals in Perigueux on the 5th and Miramont de Guyenne on the 7th and 8th as well as a music festival in Libourne.

Jersey's States vet says pet owners travelling to France would have had their animals vaccinated against rabies under the rules but that the risk remained.

It is believed the dog was brought illegally into France through Spain from Morocco.