HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Henry County Animal Control officers are shutting down all of the county's dog parks because of the dog flu.
Channel 2’s Craig Lucie went to Henry County Wednesday afternoon and an official told him they cannot take a chance considering what they've seen in neighboring counties.
Right now, all is quiet at Alexander Dog Park in McDonough. Rabies Control Officer Vince Farah and his team are locking the gates at all of the county's dog parks due to the dog flu spreading.
“We want to keep our animals' safe,” said Farah.
Farah says Henry County has been lucky so far.
"We have no reported cases in Henry County at this time, and we want to keep it that way. Our veterinarians that we talk with have recommended that we close the dog parks for 30 days to keep animals from mingling at this facility, and the one at Mt. Carmel Road so that this virus has time to die out more or less," said Farah.
Canine influenza is highly contagious and vets said the outbreak in Georgia is not the typical dog flu strain that is treated nationwide.
Tracy Dixon and her daughter, Reilly, come to Alexander Park with their dogs all the time, but since it's closed it became a softball day.
They think Henry County Animal Control is making the right choice.
“I think that it is a great idea the dog flu is something that we need to take a little more serious,” said Tracy Dixon.
Her daughter echoed those words.
"I think they are doing right thing for closing them down. I would rather them find another place to meet each other and have fun than get sick,” said Reilly Dixon.
Here is what to watch out for if you think your dog has the flu: soft cough, lack of energy, reduced appetite, sneezing and mild fever.
If your dog is showing any symptoms, vets said it is important you keep them away from other dogs and get them to your vet as soon as possible so they can be treated.