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A beaver that confronted a dog in the Villages of Urbana last week has tested positive for rabies, according to the Frederick County Health Department.

The dog, which was vaccinated against rabies, will not be quarantined, according to Alicia Evangelista, director of the Frederick County Health Department's Environmental Health Community Services program. "This was a best-case scenario as far as the pet was concerned and the owner as well," Evangelista said.

The health department has no reports of the beaver biting anyone, she said. Sgt. Dave Luckenbaugh of Frederick County Animal Control, said a resident called at 7:20 p.m. Nov. 18 to report that a beaver was behaving strangely.

While an animal control officer was en route, another resident killed the beaver with a shovel, Luckenbaugh said.

The beaver's brain tissue was taken for testing on Friday, and the health department said Monday that the beaver was rabid.

Because there are several streams in the Villages of Urbana where beavers could live, Evangelista cautioned residents who may have come into contact with the beaver, or who may have pets that could have come into contact with it, to see a physician, notify veterinarians, and call the Health Department at 301-600-3168.

Rabies is a virus transmitted by a bite from an infected animal, according to the health department.

Frederick County has had 18 confirmed rabid animals since January, and warns residents to avoid wildlife and unfamiliar animals.

Symptoms of rabies can include fear of water, limping, salivating, unusually friendly or aggressive manner, and atypical behavior, such as nocturnal animals becoming active during the day.

The health department recommends that if residents see a stray animal on their property, they should avoid contact with it, and instead call the Frederick County Animal Control Division at 301-600-1544.