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Read the press release here.

Dog Flu Outbreak Forces Dog Walk Fundraiser to Go Digital

By Bettina Chang | April 12, 2015 1:53pm
 Dogs on a walk.
Dogs on a walk.
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Shutterstock

UPTOWN — Fans of the Anti-Cruelty Society's annual 5K walk/run fundraiser will have to make the trip solo this year, as the charity announced the event is canceled due to the local dog flu outbreak.

"Due to the highly contagious nature of this virus, The Anti-Cruelty Society feels it pertinent in following our mission to promote a healthy and safe community to cancel the event scheduled for Sunday, May 3 at Montrose Harbor," according to a press release.

The charity encouraged participants to continue to register and prepare for a "virtual" walk, renamed iBark in the Park, by choosing their own "time, place, and distance."

The recent outbreak of canine influenza has affected 1,000 Cook County dogs and been linked to five deaths, according to officials. DNAinfo reported Thursday that pet day cares have shut down and dog parks are emptier than usual due to the outbreak.

Veterinarian Jerry Klein said that some cases are so severe they require hospitalization. He recommends dogs get vaccinated for canine influenza as well as bordetella (known as kennel cough) to curb the spread of the outbreak.

The announcement was made on Facebook Thursday. The Anti-Cruelty Society stated that registrants would still receive t-shirts, and various activities and contests would continue as planned.

One man on Facebook commented, "We just had our [dogs] vaccinated for the flu this week, they are inhouse til they get the next round in 3 weeks."

About 1,500 people participated and $140,000 was raised at the event last year, according to the Anti-Cruelty Society.

See more information about the event at www.ibarkinthepark.org

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