BOERNE — Kendall County Animal Control confirmed finding two cases of rabies, both involving raccoons that tested positive for the viral disease.
County officials said one case occurred in the Comfort area off Old #9 while the other was recorded in Boerne, off West Fabra Oaks.
Kendall County Animal Shelter Coordinator Charity Fegenbush said the first incident on April 14 involved a raccoon found deceased in the stall of a horse, while the second, on April 16, involved a Boerne resident calling about a sickly raccoon spotted in her backyard.
These are the first two cases logged in 2025, Fegenbush said.
“This is pretty typical for the time of year we’re in,” she said. “We know there is rabies in the Hill Country. The best way to beat it is to vaccinate your pets and animals, and supervise them while outside, especially at night.”
The horse’s owner located the deceased raccoon in the stall of a barn in the 300 block of Old No. 9 in Comfort that morning. It appeared, Fegenbush said, the horse kicked and killed the intruder.
The raccoon was sent for testing to the San Antonio Metro Health Lab which confirmed the raccoon was positive for the rabies virus.
The horse’s owner was advised of the state’s isolation process on pets exposed to rabid animals and will act accordingly, animal control officers said. The county will oversee the isolation period, which will be a 90-day isolation from other animals and people.
In the second case, a homeowner in the West Fabra Oaks area could not confirm if her dogs had come into contact with the sickly raccoon.
“With the possibility of exposure, the sick animal was collected, humanely euthanized and sent for rabies testing at the (Metro) health lab,” she said, “where they confirmed the animal was positive for the rabies virus.”
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Though rare, the consequences of rabies can be severe if left untreated. Therefore, it remains crucial for residents to be aware of the potential risk factors and take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their pets.
The Boerne homeowner will have to isolate her dogs for a 45-day period, as they are current on their vaccinations.
“We recommend, as always, that you keep your pets’ rabies vaccination up to date,” she said. “If it does ever encounter a rabid animal, the vaccination dramatically drops its chances of getting rabies,” Fegenbush said.
Symptoms of rabies in animals may include sudden behavioral changes (aggression, lethargy, confusion), difficulty swallowing paralysis, or heightened aggression.
If area residents suspect an animal, either domestic or wild, may have rabies, Fegenbush said do not approach or attempt to handle it. Instead, immediately contact the Kendall County Animal Control at 830-5373430 ext. 502.
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