A horse in eastern Arapahoe County has tested positive for rabies, and other animal owners should take precautions, the Colorado Department of Agriculture said today.

"Animal owners need to be aware that rabies is transferring from one species to another and they should monitor their animals for symptoms," State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr warned in a statement.

Of 103 rabies cases in 20 Colorado counties last year, only one involved a horse.

The horse in the Black Forest area of El Paso County was euthanized in September because of rabies, which experts thought was contracted from a skunk.

So far this year, 28 animals have tested positive for rabies in Colorado, including 25 skunks, a domestic cat and a muskrat, in addition to the horse.

Thirteen infected skunks have been found in Elbert County, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease infecting the brain and central nervous system, which can be transferred from animals to humans.