(RILEY COUNTY, KS – August 16, 2023) Starting today, Riley County will temporarily close the Fairmont Park Dog Park. Both the large and small dog enclosures will remain closed through the weekend and are expected to reopen Monday, August 21. This precautionary measure is being taken following the recent diagnosis of a dog that visited the park with canine parvovirus.
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that affects dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated dogs. The virus is known to spread through direct contact with an infected dog, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The decision to close the Fairmont Park Dog Park has been made to prevent any potential spread of the virus.
“The pet owner contacted Riley County today to notify us of the situation. We do not know where the dog contracted the disease, but we do know that it visited the large dog enclosure at Fairmont Park Dog Park during its illness. Since this is a highly contagious virus for dogs, we have decided to close both the large and small dog enclosures at Fairmont Park as a precaution. We consulted a State of Kansas veterinarian who advised several days of closure should be enough time to kill the virus, especially with the expected high temperatures over the weekend. I disinfected the water fountain area thoroughly, posted signs, and locked the gates,” said Riley County Parks Manager David Willis.
Pet owners are strongly encouraged to keep their dogs away from the Fairmont Park Dog Park during the closure and to follow their veterinarian's guidance on vaccinations and preventive measures.
Any pet owners who have visited Fairmont Park Dog Park since Saturday, August 12, should monitor their dog for signs and symptoms of canine parvovirus and contact a veterinarian immediately if the dog becomes ill. Signs and symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be bloody.
“There have been no reports of contamination associated with CiCo Park Dog Park, so that facility will remain open,” said Willis.
It is important to note that canine parvovirus does not spread to humans. Humans cannot get the virus from a dog or cat, nor can humans spread parvovirus B19, the strain capable of infecting humans, to pets. Find more information about parvovirus B19 from the CDC.