A skunk captured at the Downtown Plaza parking garage has tested positive for rabies.

Signs have been posted at the garage warning visitors to be on the lookout for skunks in the vicinity of the garage at Fourth and J streets. Nobody has yet been bitten by one of the normally nocturnal animals, but an animal control officer has been sprayed trying to snare one of them.

Gina E. Knepp, acting Animal Care Services Manager for the City of Sacramento, said on Aug. 16 about 1:30 p.m. the police department notified the city that animal care was needed at the parking garage entrance between Fourth and Fifth street on J Street.

Animal control was told that there was a skunk running around in the underground garage, chasing people. Skunks are nocturnal and not usually seen during the day -- a possible sign of illness in the animal.

The responding animal control officer was also chased by the skunk, but, undaunted, he used a long pole with a noose to catch the critter. The animal control officer was sprayed by the skunk but the animal was successfully brought to animal control, which euthanized it.

The brain was sent to the county laboratory for testing, which revealed that the animal was rabid. County Health Officer Dr. Glennah Trochet informed the city that warning signs needed to be posted and the colony of skunks needed to be exterminated, according to Knepp.

The city set traps and put out 30 signs. Two skunks have since been captured, with the one testing positive for rabies.

"We have three traps down there and we are checking them throughout the course of the day," said Knepp. "We are being really, really pro-active, trying to keep patrons safe."

Knepp said that if anyone sights a skunk or raccoon during the day to call the city at 311 and animal control will be dispatched.

A colony of feral cats also lives around the garage. The colony has been managed by citizens who have neutered, spayed the felines and administered rabies shots before re-releasing them to the area.

The city has asked colony manager to keep food they provide the cats off the ground, which will prevent the skunks from reaching the pet food.

"I'm not worried about the cats. They are safe because they have been vaccinated," said Knepp. "I'm not removing them."

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