Western Mass. Town Dealing With Rabies Outbreak

SHEFFIELD (CBS) – A town in western Massachusetts is on edge after several apparently rabid animals have been spotted in recent weeks.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that Sheffield residents have reported seeing rabid foxes, skunks and a woodchuck.

"I haven't seen it this bad since 1992," Animal Control Officer Martin Clark told the newspaper.

Rabies is fatal in humans and animals once symptoms appear.

One Sheffield woman described how she was chased by a strange-acting skunk discovered in her chicken coop.

"It ran up on my deck after me. . . it kept squeaking at me," she told The Eagle.

Residents who see a rabid animal should call authorities for help.