HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — Hernando County Animal Services is modifying dog operations due to a virus among the kennel population.
Fifteen dogs at the shelter are currently showing signs of an upper respiratory infection consistent with pneumovirus. According to HCAS, pneumovirus is usually non-fatal to dogs, and no dogs have died due to the illness.
The modifications to operations are:
- Dog intakes will be limited to essential dogs, including bite quarantine dogs where the owner requests euthanasia, injured strays, stray dogs exhibiting aggressive and dangerous behavior, pre-approved owner-requested euthanasia and strays posing a risk to public safety.
- Sterilization surgeries will be suspended until the virus clears the shelter population.
Cat operations remain the same, according to HCAS.
These changes will begin at 5:00 p.m. on April 26 and will last until further notice.

Federal officials monitor Middle East threats, experts warn of attacks and cyberattacks in the US
The FBI says its counterterrorism teams are ready to mobilize as experts warn of potential sleeper cell attacks, lone wolf violence, and Iranian cyberattacks targeting U.S. systems.