SOUTH OGDEN (ABC 4 News) - A major scare for dog owners in South Ogden. The off-leash dog park at Club Heights has been closed indefinitely because of a ringworm outbreak. The park is located at 4150 South Palmer Drive.
One veterinarian reports he has treated six dogs for ringworm and the only common denominator is the park.
Among the dogs tested was a one and a half year old lab, Luigi, belonging to Jessica Miller. She said, "We only went there once and he got it."
Ringworm is a fungal infection. It can be contracted from spores in the ground or other infected animals. Ringworm can even be transmitted from animals to humans. Children are the most susceptible.
"We're not super concerned about it because we don't have kids and we're like healthy adults and we have good immune systems," Miller explained. Still, until South Ogden city authorities can figure out the source of the outbreak, Police Chief Val Shupe said the park will stay closed.
That's disappointing for Kris Rutledge of Ogden who runs her two dogs at the park, but she understands. "We were all sad, but it's a good reason to close down," Rutledge said. "If there is a communicable disease, it should be closed."
"It's kind of a drag," said Dustin Linker, who arrived at the park with his dog only to find the gates locked and a sign announcing the closure because of a "health risk." Linker hopes for a quick resolution. "Hopefully the end result is they keep these things going because it's a pretty cool thing to do," Linker said.
Still, for now Dustin and his dog will have to find another place to play.
