MIDDLEBORO —
For the first time in his 34 years of practice, local veterinarian Bruce Chase has diagnosed a case of rabies in a horse.

The viral disease is common in dogs, cats and other predators but is rare in non-predatory animals such as horses. In Massachusetts, Chase said only three cases have been confirmed in the past 10 years.

Chase said he has notified his clients in the area that the risk of rabies may be higher this year.

“We still consider rabies a big part of public health concern,” Chase said.

The horse in question lived on a property in Freetown and had not been vaccinated. Chase tested it after seeing that it was acting uncharacteristically. The horse has been euthanized. Read More…