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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Bozeman animal control this month has euthanized 15 raccoons that had symptoms of canine distemper.
Animal control officer JD Edelen estimates more than 50 raccoons have been put down in the last few months.
Edelen tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle (http://bit.ly/1QR77E9 ) that before this year he never had to euthanize a raccoon.
Canine distemper is contagious and affects dogs, raccoons and other wildlife, such as wolves, foxes and skunks.
Edelen says the disease is terminal and there is no treatment for it.
Jennifer Ramsey, of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, says it's hard to say if or when the disease will run its course.
Ramsey said she hasn't received reports of a lot of raccoon deaths anywhere else in the state this year.
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Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
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