MELBOURNE -- Officials with the Brevard County Animal Shelter said more than a dozen dogs had to be euthanized because they contracted distemper, a disease that causes serious health problems for certain animals.

Officials said raccoons near the shelter also tested positive for the disease, and are now trying to figure out just how many raccoons in Brevard County have it.

“Currently they are having a major problem with distemper, rabies, and at this time, all raccoons we catch, we are having to destroy, unfortunately,” said James Dean, a wildlife trapper licensed through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Some people said they are upset that raccoons are being killed, but Dean said by law, he is prohibited from releasing the raccoons back into the wild.

Shelter leaders in Brevard County said they are waiting for tests results taken from raccoons throughout the county.

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