News from the state Veterinarian says that four dogs in the Smyth County Animal Shelter have been diagnosed with distemper. The shelter announced in mid-February that they shelter would not be accepting animals of doing any adoptions until the shelter had managed to solve the problem. The shelter remains closed at this time and workers are taking directions from the state on how to sanitize the living area for the animals, and the worker area for the safety of any at-home pets against the disease. They are still investigating the spread of the disease that causes flu like symptoms and severe stomach issues.