The City of New Braunfels and Comal County are continuing to urge residents to be cautious with unfamiliar animals on the heels of a recently confirmed case of rabies. City of New Braunfels Animal Welfare employees picked up a cat this week in the 200 block of Cross River Street after reports that the cat was attacking other cats in the area and behaving strangely. Subsequent testing confirmed that the cat does have rabies, a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans, and is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, often through bites. Local health officials remind everyone to be cautious with unfamiliar animals like foxes, raccoons, bats, skunks, and stray dogs or cats.
As a result of the positive rabies test, the City is implementing a temporary 4-week suspension of the Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) program for feral cats within a one mile radius of the location where the cat was found. If there are no further positive rabies cases in that area during that time, then the TNR program will resume for that area.
Here are some tips to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals and to prevent the spread of rabies:
- Avoid Wild Animals: Do not approach or hand-feed wildlife like foxes, raccoons, bats, or skunks, as they may carry rabies.
- Keep Pets Vaccinated: Ensure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.
- Secure Food & Trash: Store garbage and pet food in sealed containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
- Avoid Bats: If a bat is inside your home, contain it carefully and contact authorities.
- Seek Medical Attention for Bites/Scratches: Clean wounds and seek immediate medical care if bitten or scratched by an animal.
- Report Unusual Animal Behavior: Contact authorities if an animal appears disoriented, aggressive, or unafraid of humans.
- Don’t touch: Do not touch sick or injured animals.
Before calling to report a cat or other animal, take time to observe its behavior and look for these signs:
- Partial paralysis or the inability to walk normal
- Circling or staggering as if disoriented
- Acting aggressively for no reason
- Acting unnaturally tame
If you observe these signs, do not approach the animal and contact your local Animal Welfare agency. In New Braunfels, call 830-608-2183. In Comal County call, 830-608-2016.