Pet owners in Burrillville, R.I., are being urged to vaccinate their animals after a horse in the town was found to have rabies.

Burrillville authorities have declared a "rabies watch" for the town. It will be in effect for six months.

State law already requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. The notice from Burrillville also applies to livestock and other animals.

Town authorities determined that a horse euthanized last week had rabies. The town's deputy animal control officer, Kerry Courtemanche, said it's likely that some form of wildlife came into contact with the horse, infecting it.

Rabies is a viral infection that can cause inflammation of both the brain and spinal cord.