Rabid Raccoon Bites Family Dog in Kerrville, Kerr County

First rabies case of 2026 reported after raccoon encounter in residential neighborhood

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:04am

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Kerr County officials have confirmed the first positive rabies case of 2026 after a raccoon bit a family's dog in a residential neighborhood in Kerrville, Texas. The dog had previously been vaccinated against rabies and received a booster shot, along with the family's other dogs, following the incident.

Why it matters

Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal viral disease that can be transmitted from wild animals to domestic pets and humans through bites or scratches. This incident highlights the importance of pet vaccination and public awareness about the risks of encountering diseased wildlife, even in urban residential areas.

The details

On Sunday, March 15, Kerr County Animal Control was contacted about a raccoon that had come into contact with a dog at a home off the 500 block of East Lane in Kerrville. An animal control officer collected the raccoon the following day and submitted it to a laboratory for testing. Officials were notified on March 18 that the animal had tested positive for rabies.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The raccoon was collected by animal control on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The positive rabies test result was received on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The players

Reagan Givens

Kerr County Animal Control Director.

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What they’re saying

“This incident was in a city residential neighborhood, so it proves that you never know when or just where you may come into close proximity with a diseased animal. Please make sure all your family's pets are up to date on their vaccinations.”

— Reagan Givens, Kerr County Animal Control Director

What’s next

Authorities urged residents to not feed or attempt to handle stray animals, and to report any observations of animals behaving unusually to Kerr County Animal Control.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of pet vaccination and public vigilance in monitoring for signs of rabies in wildlife, even in urban residential areas. Prompt reporting and response can help prevent the spread of this serious and potentially fatal viral disease.