Resident rescues sick skunk found in the road.

A Newmarket resident found a disoriented skunk on Jan. 3, placed it in a box and called animal control; the skunk was later humanely euthanized after assessment, and the town said canine distemper can affect skunks and raccoons.

A Newmarket resident, Ida Mitsuk, found a skunk in the road on Jan. 3 that was not moving and appeared to be in distress. She placed the animal in a box using her scarf and called animal control. The skunk appeared blinded and was shivering, and did not resist as she moved it to safety. Animal control attended and informed her the animal could not be rehabilitated; it was humanely euthanized. Key facts: - The skunk was found on Jan. 3 and appeared disoriented and unable to see. - Mitsuk placed the skunk in a box with a scarf and contacted Newmarket animal control. - The animal was shivering and not fighting while being handled. - The town said animal services assess animals when called and will transport those with a reasonable chance of rehabilitation to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. If an animal is sick beyond rehabilitation, the municipality said humane euthanasia is the most compassionate option. - The town noted canine distemper can affect both skunks and raccoons; reported signs include disorientation, lethargy, and eye and nose discharge, and the virus cannot spread to humans. - As of Jan. 6 the town had received three calls about skunks with distemper this year; there were 15 related calls in 2025, 52 in 2024, and four in 2023. Summary: The account highlights a local resident’s intervention and the role of municipal animal services in assessing wildlife in distress. The town reports it will evaluate animals and decide between rehabilitation transport or humane euthanasia as appropriate, and noted distemper can occur in waves among wildlife.