City officials in Burleson issued a warning Tuesday after six skunks tested positive for rabies since January.
With skunk mating season upon us, and with some of the mammals being displaced by urban sprawl and construction, residents in the affected neighborhoods in the southern and western parts of the city are urged to avoid contact with the wild animals — and to never keep them as pets.
Burleson's neighborhood services staff, the city said, handed out fliers in the affected neighborhoods warning residents that a rabid skunk had been captured within a week.
In a news release Tuesday, the city asked all residents to report any physical contact, including bites, between skunks and people or their pets to Burleson Animal Services at 817-426-9283.
Officials said four of the locations where rabid skunks were captured also had dogs exposed to the virus. All of the pets are now being held in isolation for up to 90 days.
The city reminds that one of the easiest ways to protect pets from rabies is to keep animal vaccinations up to date.
More on rabies, skunks:
Texas Department of State Health: Rabies
CDC: Rabies
Skunks - The Humane Society
