Grey Bruce Public Health is reminding residents to enjoy wildlife from a distance as warmer weather brings more outdoor activity, and a higher chance of human-animal encounters.
In a media release, the health unit says wild animals may appear "cute and friendly," but warns that "touching, feeding, petting, picking up, or caring for a wild animal can pose health risks," including injury and diseases such as rabies.
Senior public health manager Andrew Barton says the risk increases in summer simply because people and animals are both outside more often.
"We are going into the summer, that means that people's potential exposure is higher," Barton said. "People are outdoors more, animals are outdoors more."
Barton says one of the most common issues they see is people trying to handle young wildlife.
"They are quite cute, but this is where the message is: please admire them from a distance," he said. "Once you pick those animals up there is that potential of being bitten or scratched, which is a risk for rabies."
While rabies cases in the region are rare, Barton says the risk is not zero. He notes bats remain the most common wildlife concern, and adds that in Grey Bruce, dog bites are actually the most frequent exposure public health investigates.
The health unit is also reminding parents to teach children not to approach unfamiliar dogs or stray animals, and to always ask permission before touching a pet.
Barton says the goal is not to discourage people from enjoying the outdoors, but to keep interactions safe and prevent avoidable injuries.
