Residents and pet owners in Comal County are being urged to exercise caution following a recent wildlife health concern in the Bulverde area. Authorities say the incident involved a wild animal that came into contact with a domestic pet, prompting a public safety alert.On Thursday, August 28, Comal County Animal Control confirmed that a fox in the Raven Lane area tested positive for rabies. The animal had contact with a cat, marking the 18th confirmed rabies case in the county this year, according to a news release.Officials ar...
Residents and pet owners in Comal County are being urged to exercise caution following a recent wildlife health concern in the Bulverde area. Authorities say the incident involved a wild animal that came into contact with a domestic pet, prompting a public safety alert.
On Thursday, August 28, Comal County Animal Control confirmed that a fox in the Raven Lane area tested positive for rabies. The animal had contact with a cat, marking the 18th confirmed rabies case in the county this year, according to a news release.
Officials are advising residents to avoid contact with skunks, foxes and other wildlife, particularly if the animals are exhibiting unusual behavior. Pet owners are reminded to keep dogs, cats and all other pets up to date on rabies vaccinations, as required by state law.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can be transmitted through bites or when saliva from an infected animal enters the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound. Residents should contact Comal County Animal Control at 830-608-2016 if they witness suspicious wildlife or are exposed to an animal.
A Comal County spokesperson confirmed the fox’s interaction with a feral cat and added "as a precaution, Comal County Animal Control will initiate targeted trapping efforts in the area to help reduce potential risks to the public."
On measures to prevent further rabies cases, the spokesperson said in a statement: "We’re stepping up our efforts in a few key ways. First, we’re making sure residents in the affected area have access to accurate information about rabies and how to protect themselves and their pets. We’re also increasing trapping activity — not just in response to citizen requests, but proactively — to help limit the spread and keep the community safe."
Comal County has experienced fluctuations in rabies cases in recent years. In 2024, a rabid fox discovered within city limits became the county’s 23rd confirmed case, the highest since 2018.
Nearby San Marcos also reported a recent rabies incident when a bat found in a shopping mall tested positive for the virus, although that exposure appears isolated. Hays County also saw rabies scares earlier this year when two fox attacks occurred in one week.
"Our priority is public safety," Comal County Animal Control Supervisor Mitchell Pratt said in a statement. "We’re taking proactive steps to reduce exposure risks and remind residents to keep pets vaccinated and avoid contact with wildlife."
Residents are advised that vigilance, proper pet vaccination and reporting unusual wildlife are the best defenses against rabies, helping protect both people and pets.