No To Skunks as Pets in Tennessee, House Votes Fall Short

The bill which was supposed to allow skunks as pets in Tennessee homes was not passed by the House this week. The proposed legislation did not receive enough votes reportedly because of fear that these animals will spread rabies.

WKRN reported that the bill received 44 votes only, six votes short of the needed 50 for it to be passed. Sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison, the proposed legislation noted that pet skunks in other states in the United States are not anymore a concern for many.

He earlier told Knoxville News Sentinel that his constituents requested for the bill to be passed. "I thought it was a joke," Faison said noting that he looked into the matter carefully and discovered that it could generate revenue since skunks are sold for about $1,000 each.

However, it was also noted that the bill would have only allowed domesticated skunks to be kept as pets. These animals would also be required to have their glands removed to avoid spraying.

According to Nashville Public Radio, veterinarians claimed that there is still no available vaccine to make skunks rabies-free. This prevented the state from being the 18th in the United States to give a green light to domesticated skunks.

In addition, the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association noted that skunks have tested positive for rabies which can be fatal for humans."One person has survived rabies after contracting it. That's a big concern for me on this bill," said State Rep. Courtney Rogers.

There have been earlier warnings in the US about skunks having rabies. KRQE News said rabies is a deadly viral disease which cannot be cured but can be prevented.

It would help a lot of people know how to stop the spread of rabies. The same report claimed that vaccinations for pets, not only skunks, are needed to protect your family and other people in the community.