Rabid Dog Identified in Chicago: What Pet Owners Need to Know
Illinois public health officials have confirmed a case of rabies in a dog in Chicago. This is the first rabid dog identified in Illinois in more than 30 years, making it a rare but important reminder about rabies prevention and safety.
What Happened?
The dog was less than a year old and had been adopted from a Chicago rescue. The puppy originally came from a litter transferred from a Florida rescue earlier this year.
Although the dog had received a rabies vaccination, it later developed worsening behavioral changes, including anxiety, aggression, growling, and snapping. Because the dog had bitten a person and state law requires follow-up in these cases, testing was performed after the dog was euthanized. The test confirmed rabies.
Health officials believe the dog may have been exposed to rabies before it was vaccinated, which is possible because rabies can take weeks or even months to cause symptoms.
Is Rabies Common in Dogs?
Rabies in dogs is extremely rare in Illinois. The last confirmed rabid dog in the state was in 1994.
In Illinois, bats are the most common source of rabies in animals. Other wildlife such as raccoons and skunks have not tested positive in the state for decades.
What Is Being Done Now?
The Chicago Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health are:
Identifying people who had contact with the dog to see if rabies preventive treatment is needed
Working with animal control to contact owners of dogs that may have been exposed, including littermates and dogs from a daycare
Dogs that were up to date on rabies vaccination and had contact with this dog are being given a booster vaccine and monitored at home as a precaution.
What Should Pet Owners Watch For?
Rabies symptoms in animals can include:
Sudden behavior changes or aggression
Restlessness or anxiety
Excessive drooling
Weakness or lethargy
Difficulty swallowing or making sounds
If your pet shows unusual behavior, especially after a bite or wildlife exposure, contact your veterinarian right away.
How Can You Protect Your Pet and Family?
The most important steps pet owners can take are:
Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date
Avoid contact between pets and wildlife, especially bats
Never handle wildlife or animals acting strangely
Report bites or scratches to your veterinarian or local health department
Rabies is preventable, and vaccination is highly effective at protecting pets and people.
Should You Be Worried?
This case is very rare, and public health officials are actively managing the situation. For most pet owners, this is a reminder—not a reason to panic—about why routine vaccinations and prompt veterinary care matter.
If you have questions about your pet’s rabies vaccination status or behavior, your veterinarian is the best resource.
