Ahead of heavy rain expected for parts of southern Louisiana through the end of the week, Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine warns residents to keep pets inside and away from wildlife displaced by flooding.
Wildlife can flee from flooded habitats into neighborhoods, roadways and backyards in a bid to escape rising waters, according to the veterinary school. This can increase the chances of people and their pets encountering creatures like coyotes, bears and other animals.
Interacting with wildlife can spread disease or risk injury to people and pets, while flooded areas can conceal hazards like sharp debris and bacteria. Snakes in particular tend to seek higher ground in and around homes, sheds and debris piles in flooded areas, and other animals may be more active around roads at dawn and dusk as they move away from floods…