Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

How One Potentially Rabid Cow Story Went Viral in 1865, Pun Definitely Intended.

A cow bitten by a dog seven years ago causes six children to die after drinking her milk. Was she rabid? Find out why this story went viral in 1865.

Audrey Lodato

September 5, 2025

1860s, Animal Welfare

animal control, Animal Welfare, animals, cows, dogs, fiction, food, history, hydrophobia, Iowa, newspapers, Periodicals, pets, Printing Press, Rabies, Sensationalism, travel, Victorian america, Wisconsin, writing