CONNOQUENESSING TWP — A second township pet owner is receiving treatment for exposure to rabies.

Jim Marburger, who lives near the Sudshak on Route 68, said on Oct. 29 he smelled a skunk near the kennel where he keeps five German shorthair pointer dogs. It was about 11 a.m.

"I knew if a skunk had gotten in there with the dogs at that time of day, it wasn't good," Marburger said.

For a normally nocturnal animal such as a skunk, activity during the day is a possible sign of a rabid animal, according to the state Department of Health.

When Marburger went in the kennel, the skunk was dead. Marburger removed the carcass and was exposed to the skunk's saliva.

The skunk tested positive for rabies. The dogs, which had rabies shots, got booster shots and are under quarantine for 90 days.

Marburger is halfway through a series of vaccination shots for the viral disease, which affects the nervous system when contracted.

Marburger uses his dogs for bird hunting, and lamented Monday that during bird season he won't be able to take them out.

This is the second rabid skunk found in the township. In late September, Mark Angerett's dog, a Jack Russell terrier, was attacked by two skunks during the day. One skunk tested positive for the disease.

Angerett lives a few houses away from Marburger.

Angerett's dog, Emma, is quarantined. He said Wednesday the dog shows no signs of the disease.

Angerett has finished his rabies shots, he said.