The City of New Braunfels today confirmed its second case of rabies in less than a month, this time in a cat.
Animal Welfare picked up the animal last week in the 800 block of West Mill Street after reports it was acting aggressively and exhibiting unusual behavior.
Subsequent testing confirmed the cat had rabies.
The city has suspended its trap-neuter-and-release (TNR) program for feral cats within a one-mile radius of where the animal was found.
If there are no further positive rabies cases in that area during that time, the TNR program will resume, New Braunfels said on social media.
Earlier this month, employees recovered a fox that died after coming into contact with a woman.
Residents are urged to be cautious around unfamiliar animals like foxes, raccoons, bats, skunks and stray dogs or cats.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, often through bites. It affects the nervous systems of mammals, including humans, and is almost always fatal.
To reduce risk and help prevent the spread of rabies:
- Keep dogs and pets on leashes. Do not allow them to roam freely.
- Avoid approaching or feeding wildlife like foxes, raccoons, bats and skunks.
- Keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations.
- Secure garbage and pet food to avoid attracting wild animals.
- Avoid contact with bats. If one is inside your home, contain it and contact authorities.
- Seek medical attention immediately for any bites or scratches.
- Do not touch sick or injured animals.
- Report unusual animal behavior.
Signs of rabies in animals may include partial paralysis, difficulty walking, circling or staggering, unprovoked aggression, or unusually tame behavior. If you observe these signs, do not approach the animal.
To report an animal displaying unusual behavior, contact New Braunfels Animal Welfare at 830-608-2183. Comal County Animal Control can be reached at 830-885-4883.
Comal County Animal Control and Best Friends Animal Shelter are sponsoring a free rabies clinic for pets from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22, at 145 David Jonas Dr., New Braunfels.
The clinic is open to the first 300 county residents who show up