Lampasas woman bitten, now being treated
The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office has issued a news release, describing a recent incident in which a citizen was bitten by an animal that later tested positive for rabies.
The sheriff’s office said it received a call May 29 from a woman in the 6000 block of County Road 3010. Animal Control Officer Sabine Hogle responded and met with a cat bite victim, identified as 58-year-old Tamar Pugh.
Pugh reported she had been feeding feral cats at her residence when one of them attacked and bit her on the leg.
The cat acted very aggressively and ran off, Pugh told the officer. It was foaming at the mouth, appeared sickly and acted abnormally.
The cat was discovered hiding underneath a trailer at the property but could not be captured.
Hogle positioned a cat trap at the site to capture the feral animal, and Pugh was advised she should seek medical attention.
The cat suspected of the attack was captured on May 31, according to the sheriff’s office report. The animal was sent to a local veterinarian to be processed and then submitted to the State Health Laboratory for rabies analysis.
On June 5, the State Health Lab reported that the cat sample did test positive for rabies. Pugh and her medical provider were advised of the results.
Pugh indicted that a treatment for rabies had been initiated on May 29.
The State Health Department has advised residents near the 6000 block of CR 3010 to be on alert for wild or domestic animals and/or pets that might be acting strangely, and to report any unusual or sickly behavior to the Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office animal control officer.
Residents also were advised to keep their pets away from animals that might be acting strangely.
“As always, all pets should always be current on their rabies vaccination,” Sheriff Jess Ramos said in the news release. “The rabies vaccinations should only be administered by a veterinarian and not with an over-the-counter vaccination.”
Livestock are not required to receive rabies vaccinations, but if ranchers have concerns regarding their livestock, they should contact a veterinarian.
“Making sure your family pets are current on their vaccinations will mitigate the spreading of rabies,” Ramos said.
