17 - Health officials are urging the public to protect themselves and their animals from an increasing threat of rabies. So far this year, the number of rabies cases statewide is more than four times the number of incidents during the same time period in 1999. We have a lot of people in different parts of town that are flat-out not vaccinating their animals.
Experts urge pet owners to ensure that their animals have rabies shots.
Infected wildlife have been more active in spreading the disease because of the mild winter. Dr. Connie Lindley. They lose inhibitions and fear and they will enter a dog yard to go fight the dogs or enter in the presence of people when they're normally afraid of people and animals. Health officials say a rabid skunk recently bit an adult human in a rural area of Erath County after the animal walked right up to the front porch. If you see an animal you suspect may be rabid, call your local animal control agency and ensure that your pets are safe.