The Ministry of Natural Resources says there is no end in sight to the raccoon rabies outbreak that began a year ago with the discovery of the virus after a dog named Mr. Satan got into a scrap with a raccoon in the back of a Hamilton animal control van.
So far its cost the province about $4.5 million to fight the spread, and if wildlife officials are unable to stop the spread, across southern Ontario costs could double or triple.
Hamilton city officials tell the CBC, it will likely take up to five years to get the outbreak under control.
So far there have been more than 250 cases in the Hamilton region, including 11 in Niagara, mainly in West Lincoln and Grimsby.
Most of the cases have been found in raccoons and skunks but ministry workers have also discovered a cat, a fox and two cows with the virus, as well as several bats.