A rare but deadly disease is being blamed for the sudden deaths of six dogs in the Paulding County animal shelter.

The facility’s director says the shelter has been closed since early last week after the state Department of Agriculture enacted a mandatory quarantine. The action means the shelter cannot take-in or release any animals.

A first dog died on January 7th, after appearing fine only 20 minutes earlier. Within days, four more seemingly healthy dogs died.

A necropsy performed at the University of Georgia determined that one of the dogs died from "strep zoo," which typically occurs in horses.

Tags: University of Georgia, dogs, rare disease, Paulding Country, animal shelter, strep zoo