County debates changing rabies law Posted On: Friday, May. 29 2009 12:54 AM By Justin Cox
Killeen Daily Herald

The rabies vaccination issue has moved to the county, but it doesn't appear the law will be changed, at least not now.

On Monday, members of the Bell County Commissioners Court briefly discussed the issue of its standard rabies vaccinations – it currently requires annual rabies vaccinations.

But a great number of people believe such a practice is unneeded and potentially harmful to animals, recommending a three-year vaccination term instead.

Since a story appeared in the Daily Herald last week, many have voiced their concerns, presenting papers, research and opinions on the subject.

County Attorney Rick Miller brought the item to the commissioners court and said he has received some input as well.

"I talked with the commissioners about it, and I don't think it's something they are going to change, not as long as we have a vet who (is opposed to it). Absent that, they are not inclined to change the ordinance. ? I'll have to look at the state law, but right now, we're going to keep it as is."

Commissioner John Fisher concurred with Miller, largely due to the opinion of local veterinarian Dr. Warren Dunn of the Belton Veterinary Clinic, who strongly disagrees with the assertion that annual rabies shots are unnecessary.

"Right now, the policy is annual rabies shots," Fisher said. "Dr. Dunn has discussed this. That's our policy right now, and unless someone can give us a better argument, we're going to keep this policy as is."

Dr. Laura Szeremi is a member of the Killeen animal advisory board and a practicing veterinarian at two hospitals in the Killeen area.

Szeremi said the county is just behind in their rabies standards, which in her estimation, is unneeded and potentially harmful.

"It's vaccinating pets when they really don't need it," Szeremi said. "There's always a risk of an allergic reaction, and the more vaccines your pet receives over time, the more at risk they are in having an allergic reaction. So as they get older, and they get multiple three-year vaccines when they didn't really need them, there is more risk to their health."

She said there is the need to protect the population from rabies, but vaccinations should not be taken lightly.

Dunn disagrees with the idea that it's harmful to vaccinate annually simply out of fear of an allergic reaction.

"In puppies we see just as much reaction as we do in other dogs. You're going to see a reaction every now and then, just like you do in humans; that's just part of doing it," Dunn said. "It's one of those calculated risks ? if there is something going wrong, there's a better chance for us to see the animal and check."

While surrounding counties only have a three-year policy in place, and most states in the country as well, Dunn said it's best to keep the annual policy because of the large number of rabies cases in Bell County. He said the high skunk population greatly contributes to rabies, while other parts of the state may not be at as great a risk.

Contact Justin Cox at jcox@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7568.