Deer Park animal control officials, faced with an apparent parvovirus outbreak, will institute an euthanization policy for all dogs impounded for three days and not claimed by the owner.

Normally, the city sends unclaimed dogs to Spokane Humane Society for a small donation. It was Humane Society workers who reported the parvo outbreak to city officials, forcing them to enact the euthanize policy.

Deer Park’s Animal Control Officer, Mike Reiter, is worried about a number of young dogs in the city that have not been vaccinated or licensed and are at risk of contracting the disease.

The highly contagious virus usually attacks younger dogs and usually centers itself around the intestinal lining in the digestive system. Symptoms, which usually occur 7-10 days after coming into contact with the virus, include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and depression. Parvovirus can be fatal.

Dog owners with the required city license will be notified when their dog is impounded and will be returned as soon as possible, Reiter added, limiting their exposure to the parvovirus.

The city’s euthanize policy will remain in effect until November.