Residents and visitors in Amanzimtoti and surrounds have been advised to ensure that their dogs and cats get the rabies vaccine.

They are also urged to be on the lookout for animals that exhibit strange behaviour. The warning comes after a dog was put down by the SPCA Amanzimtoti after it recently bit two women.

Tests later showed that the dog was infected with rabies. SPCA Amanzimtoti manager Tracey Girling said the dog was first spotted on Ellcock Road in Warner Beach, but when the SPCA staff caught up with it, it had travelled to Isundu Drive in Amanzimtoti, where it was cornered.

Girling had issued a warning when it was first seen in Warner Beach stating that no one should attempt to catch or get close to it as she suspected it was infected.

“The state veterinarian confirmed that it had tested positive for rabies. I have been in contact with the two people who were bitten at the rugby club on Friday night. Please seek medical assistance if you were in any way exposed to rabies by this dog because rabies is fatal,” said Girling.

She added that the SPCA has been dealing with cases of rabies every week.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease that can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal.

What to do when exposed to rabies?

If you’ve been bitten by a suspected rabid animal, you must thoroughly clean the wound with disinfectant and seek urgent medical care. You will then be given a series of injections to stop infection, including a rabies vaccine to prevent you from getting the disease. If left untreated, the rabies infection will be established. Vaccinating your pets is the only way to prevent the spread of rabies.