The Ohio County Animal Shelter is closed to the public after a seized dog tested positive for parvovirus.

Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell confirmed the closure.

“On Friday, the animal control officers were forced to seize eight dogs and 16 cats from a residence in Ohio County,” he said. “One of the dogs was clearly ill, so we took them all to be tested at a veterinary clinic. One of the dogs had active parvo.”

Parvo manifests in a dog within seven to 14 days, Russell explained. There still is a possibility the other dogs that were seized might eventually show signs of the disease.

The question was what to do with the dogs in the interim, he continued. After they were tested they were taken to the animal shelter.

“We have no other place to take them,” Russell said. “We have quarantined them, but we don’t have sufficient quarantine space for that number of dogs.

“We have separated them (from the other dogs), but we have closed out of an abundance of caution.”

There are presently 16 dogs at the shelter, in addition to those being separated.

Dogs taken in by the Ohio County Animal Shelter are vaccinated for parvo, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t contract the disease, according to Russell.

“We will work with local vets to determine when it is safe to open to the public,” he added.

Cats cannot contract parvo, he noted. But some of those seized on Friday had respiratory problems and are being treated with antibiotics.

“We appreciate the support from the community, and their patience while we work through this,” Russell said. “We will notify the public when we are open back up for business.”