Kerr County posts 6th rabies case of year

After five cases of confirmed rabies -- all in skunks and all found within Kerrville city limits – Kerr County has now has posted its sixth case for 2024.

“This latest incident involves a family dog,” said Kerr County Animal Services Director Reagan Givens.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, the dog bit a neighbor while it was running off its home property on Venado Lane in Center Point. The animal was later euthanized by its owner, Givens said.

A KCAS animal control officer retrieved the deceased animal the same day and sent it to the lab for testing.

“Today (April 3), the zoological lab reported back to us that the sample was ‘untestable’ due to the condition it was in after euthanasia by the owner. In instances like this, when the sample is too damaged or decomposed for rabies testing, Texas law requires that the case be treated as if the animal is positive for rabies,” Given said. “It is better to be cautious in the interest of public health and safety.”

Givens said the animal was up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Due to the human being bitten, however, KCAS advised that person to talk with their primary care doctor and let them know what happened before proceeding with a plan. “Usually, that involves post-exposure shots,” Given said.

Additionally, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) also contacts the individual to make sure they understand the possible implications of coming into contact with a rabid animal.

The last time Kerr County had a confirmed positive rabies case in a dog was in 2016.

“This case just underscores the importance of making sure our family pets are up to date on their vaccinations,” he added. “Rabies is a terrible, viral disease that can be carried by any mammal.”

High-risk carriers of the virus include skunks, bats, raccoons and foxes, but it can also be carried by dogs and cats and any of them can transfer the disease through contact to humans or other animals.

County residents should be on the lookout for animals acting abnormally or as if they are sick. If such an animal is spotted, they are asked to make a note of the animal’s description, its exact location and which direction it may be headed, and call that information in to the KCAS office at 830-257-3100. After-hours calls may be made to the sheriff’s office.