Austin Animal Services and Austin Public Health are asking the community to be alert and take precautionary measures with wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes and bats after a recent confirmed case of rabies.
On August 3, 2019 at 9:30 p.m., Animal Protection Officers (APO) responded to a call on Pace Bend Road in Travis County after a resident was bitten on the foot by a fox who entered her home. A family member of the victim killed the fox in order to stop the attack.
The fox was then picked up by an APO and submitted for rabies testing with the Texas Department of State Health Services, as per standard protocol involving any human interaction with wildlife that breaks the skin.
The fox has tested positive for the rabies virus. APOs are canvassing the area to determine if any other people or pets may have had contact with the fox, or if any other wildlife have been observed acting in an unusual manner, such as turning in circles, twitching or foaming at the mouth.
If someone is bitten by a wild animal, Animal Protection should be called immediately by dialing 3-1-1 or 512-974-5000. The victim should also contact a physician immediately.
Animal Services offers the following tips to protect pets and family from exposure to wild animals:
- Vaccinate your dogs and cats as well as livestock.
- Restrain your pets. Do not allow them to roam freely in public.
- Avoid contact with wild animals and unknown dogs and cats.
- Do not touch sick or injured animals.
- If your pet is bitten, scratched or in a fight with any animal, call 3-1-1 or 512-974-5000.
Any contact with these high-risk wild animals or any sign of sick or dead wildlife should also be reported to 3-1-1 or 512-974-5000.
(Photo:SHutterstock/Numstocker)
