Rabid fox found in Burnet

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) - A rabid fox attacked a dog and a police officer earlier this month, leaving Burnet resident, like Patsy Johnson, on high alert.

Johnson's beloved dog Brandy is lucky to be alive.

She was attacked by a rabid fox on January 2nd, as Johnson watched in horror.

"I'm just scared to death," Johnson answered when asked to recall seeing her dog in the mouth of a fox.  "I'm hollering and screaming for that fox to let her go. When he grabbed Brandy, he got blood on her head and on her leg."

Animal control believes the fox was hanging out in a heavily wooded area behind a row of homes in the 1700 block of East Johnson Street and made its way into a resident's backyard.

That homeowner got worried and dialed 911.

A police officer came out and called animal control, but not before he was also attacked by the fox.

"He had some scratches on his legs and that's why we're making him go through the shots for rabies," said Burnet Police Chief Paul Nelson.  "He is going to be ok."

Animal control officers quickly captured the fox, who was later euthanized.

Now, this quiet community--known for kids playing in the streets and neighbors hanging outdoors, is on high alert.

Authorities recently issued a warning to be watchful about what they're calling a "very serious, concerning" situation.

"It takes one time, for one child, for anybody to get bit you know and rabies is a hundred percent fatal," explained Kim Wilson, Burnet's animal control officer.

"Instead of 13 eyes, sets of eyes through the police department, we have 5,000 eyes through the population of the city of Burnet," Nelson added, when asked why the department is asking for help, considering this is Burnet's first reported rabies case in almost six months.

As for Brandy, she's quarantined for the next 45 days - even though she is up-to-date on her shots.

When she is free, Johnson said she'll have some new rules.

"No, not out in the street or anything, not anymore," Johnson explained, when asked whether or not her dog will be allowed outside alone in the future.

Nelson and Wilson are asking residents to not pet any stray dogs or cats or pets they don't know, ensure their animal's rabies shots are current and less than one year old and to call Animal Control to report suspicious activity at (830) 798-3971.

Any after hours calls should be directed to the Burnet County Sheriff's Department at (512) 756-8080.