rabies

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer •

Llano police officials will host a series of rabies prevention courses after a second wild animal this year has tested positive for the potentially fatal disease; the latest case resulted in a family pet being quarantined for 90 days due to coming into contact with the animal.

On Aug. 14, Llano Police Department responded to a call of a suspicious-acting raccoon at a residence in the 200 block of West Ellis Street in Llano.

A dead skunk found in Meadowlakes earlier this week by the city's animal control officer tested positive for rabies, the city has reported.

Animal control impounded and submitted two dead skunks, found in separate areas of Meadowlakes, for rabies testing. One tested positive while the other did not. There was no known contact with the rabid skunk.

Should a resident find a wild animal acting out of the ordinary, do not approach it. Instead, please call the Meadowlakes Animal Control at 877-816-8136. Residents are encouraged to be cautious when outdoors, and remember to always vaccinate pets!

For more information about rabies, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control Program at 254-778-6744.

This is not the first time this year a rabid skunk was found in Meadowlakes. A similar alert was made in January after a rabid skunk was found on Jan. 20.