For families in Savannah Place, an encounter between a pet and a wild animal may seem like the kind of backyard incident that ends once the animal disappears. San Antonio health officials are warning that those encounters should never be dismissed, particularly as Bexar County experiences an unusual increase in rabies cases among wildlife.

San Antonio Animal Care Services and Metro Health issued a public health advisory after a privately owned dog tested positive for rabies on Aug. 18. The case is particularly notable: officials said it is the first reported rabies infection in a pet dog in Bexar County in more than a decade.

The case comes during what local officials are calling an outbreak of wild animal rabies across San Antonio and Bexar County. According to the city, 22 rabies cases were reported during June and July 2026, compared with just two to three cases during the same two-month period in both 2024 and 2025.

For residents who routinely see skunks, bats, raccoons or other wildlife around neighborhoods, greenbelts and backyards, the message is straightforward: keeping pets vaccinated and reporting wildlife encounters quickly can make a significant difference.

Dog's Encounter With Baby Skunk Led to Rabies Diagnosis

According to San Antonio officials, the case involved a male Husky mix whose owner reported that the dog killed a baby skunk in late July near the family's Far Westside home inside Loop 1604.

The encounter was not reported at the time.

During the following weeks, the dog began developing troubling behavioral and neurological symptoms. Testing by the Metro Health Laboratory later confirmed rabies. People and pets identified as having been exposed have since been offered rabies preventive treatment, according to the city.

The circumstances surrounding the case highlight why health authorities want residents to report any actual or suspected contact between pets and wildlife, even when an animal initially appears healthy after the encounter.

Rabies has an incubation period, meaning symptoms do not necessarily appear immediately after exposure. Once clinical symptoms develop, however, rabies is almost always fatal. Prompt evaluation following a possible exposure can allow preventive treatment to begin before the disease develops.

Why the Rabies Outbreak Matters for Savannah Place

Rabies is a viral disease that can infect mammals, including people, dogs and cats. In Texas, it is commonly associated with wildlife including bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons.

That makes neighborhood prevention especially important in suburban communities where homes, drainage corridors, parks, wooded areas and undeveloped land can bring people and pets into relatively close proximity with wildlife.

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains 2026 rabies surveillance maps covering infections in bats, wild animals, livestock, dogs and cats across the state. State officials caution that surveillance data represent animals that have actually been collected and tested; an area without a reported positive test should not automatically be interpreted as an area without rabies.

For Savannah Place pet owners, that means prevention should not depend on whether a rabid animal has been reported on a particular street or inside a particular subdivision.

Keeping vaccinations current remains the first line of defense.

What Pet Owners Should Do if a Dog or Cat Encounters Wildlife

San Antonio Animal Care Services and Metro Health are urging residents to make sure dogs, cats and other pets remain current on rabies vaccinations. Both Texas law and City of San Antonio requirements mandate current rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats.

Residents should also keep dogs secured on their property or properly restrained rather than allowing them to roam. Doing so reduces opportunities for contact with wildlife and unfamiliar animals.

People should never touch, feed or attempt to handle wild animals, including animals that appear injured or dead. Children should also be taught not to approach wildlife or unfamiliar roaming animals and to immediately tell an adult if they see one near people or pets.

If a pet does encounter a skunk, bat, raccoon, fox or other potentially rabid animal, officials recommend separating the pet from people and other animals and reporting the incident to the appropriate animal control agency.

Within the City of San Antonio, residents can report wildlife encounters through 311. Bexar County residents outside the city can contact Bexar County Animal Control at 210-335-9000. 

Anyone who is bitten, scratched or believes saliva from a potentially rabid animal may have entered a wound, the eyes, nose or mouth should thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water and contact a healthcare provider promptly for guidance about possible rabies post-exposure treatment.

Residents should not put themselves at risk trying to capture a potentially rabid animal. If an animal can be safely isolated inside a room or other enclosed space without direct contact, officials advise keeping it contained until animal control professionals can respond.

Free San Antonio Pet Vaccination Clinic Scheduled for Aug. 22

The advisory also comes as San Antonio Animal Care Services continues offering vaccination opportunities aimed at preventing diseases such as rabies.

A free pet vaccination and microchip clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Monterrey Park, 5919 W. Commerce St. in San Antonio. The event is available to City of San Antonio residents with proof of residency. Services are first come, first served, with a limit of 100 pets and up to three pets per household.

Available vaccines include rabies as well as other protective vaccines for dogs and cats. Residents planning to attend should be aware that event times and locations can change because of weather or other circumstances.

For families who do not qualify for the city clinic, the broader takeaway remains the same: check a pet's vaccination records now rather than waiting until an unexpected encounter with wildlife happens.

A Small Precaution That Can Prevent a Serious Emergency

Most neighborhood wildlife sightings end without incident. A skunk crossing a street after dark or a bat appearing near a home does not automatically mean an animal has rabies.

The current rise in confirmed cases, however, gives families a reason to pay closer attention.

A current rabies vaccination, a secured backyard gate and a quick call to animal control after an unusual wildlife encounter can prevent an everyday neighborhood occurrence from becoming a much more serious public health concern.

Residents can also review current Texas rabies surveillance information through the Texas Department of State Health Services' 2026 rabies maps, which track confirmed cases statewide.

As officials continue monitoring rabies activity across San Antonio and Bexar County, residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for community health, safety and pet-related updates that could affect local families.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.