Small Town News

Rabies cases cause concern

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Another skunk has been confirmed as having the rabies virus in the city of Burnet, bringing the total to five skunks and one raccoon and city officials are concerned that even more animals could be affected.

"There's not much we can do about this situation beyond making every effort to educate people about how to minimize the possibility of it happening near their homes and how to react if they encounter or see an animal that appears to be sick or aggressive," Burnet City Manager David Vaughn said.

Vaughn said city officials have been working with Burnet school district officials to make sure children know how to react in situations involving possibly rabid animals.

"We've distributed 3,000 fliers to the school district urging people if they come in contact with these animals to not try to have any contact with them and just report them," Vaughn said.

The Burnet Police Department is encouraging residents to be on the outlook for animals that may appear to be sick or aggressive and citizens should immediately report any animals that are acting strangely, whether they are wild animals or pets, to the Burnet Police Department and Animal Control Officer by calling (512) 756-6404, Vaughn said.

Citizens should call 911 if they encount3er an aggressive animal and pet owners should have their pets vaccinated against rabies.

The Burnet Police Department and Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center are sponsoring a low-cost rabies vaccination event at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, Vaughn said.

For more information go to the City of Burnet website www.cityofburnet.com and click on "Rabies Info."

This is a very serious issue," Burnet Police Chief Paul Nelson said, "We want to be sure everyone knows not to approach any animal that is acting strangely, day or night."

The affected animals were found in different areas of the city and citizens are warned that they can appear anywhere.

The two most recent animals were found on North Hill Street in the northwest quadrant of the city and at a residence on Leffingwell Lane in the southeast area of the city.

There have been three confirmed cases of rabid skunks in Sunrise beach near Lake LBJ, and two more confirmed cases in Meadowlakes, near Marble Falls.

City of Meadowlakes Animal Control officer Rob Galaway has been sprayed by a skunk and offers this advice: "I have been sprayed by a skunk, and it's bad, and it takes a long time for that smell to go away. If youi do get sprayed by a skunk, the only way IVe found to get rid of the smell faster is to use a quart of peroxide, a tablespoon baking soda and a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap. Tomato juice doesn't work."



Copyright 2011 Burnet Bulletin, Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Burnet Bulletin Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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