A quiet afternoon of backyard play in Hollywood Park turned frightening on May 27 when a young boy was attacked and bitten by a fox, police say. Officers responded, euthanized the animal at the scene, and sent it for testing. The lab results came back positive for rabies, putting the close-knit community on edge and prompting a round of urgent animal-control warnings.
According to FOX San Antonio, Hollywood Park Police Chief Shad Prichard said officers moved quickly after the attack, killing the fox and sending it to a laboratory. The following day, authorities got the confirmation no one wanted to hear: the fox was rabid. Since then, animal-control officers have fielded multiple reports of foxes roaming neighborhood streets, turning casual sightings into something residents are now watching a lot more closely.
The Houston Chronicle reports police advised residents to keep an eye out for classic rabies red flags such as extreme aggression, strange tameness, loss of balance, excessive drooling or animals chewing on their own limbs. People were urged to report any animal that seems off in any way. Officials also recommended basic but effective steps like keeping dogs on short leashes, bringing outdoor cats inside, securing trash containers and not leaving pet food outdoors. Neighbors in and around Hollywood Park have been asked to call it in if they see wildlife that looks sick or unusually bold.
How rabies spreads and what to watch for
Rabies is a viral disease that spreads when saliva from an infected animal enters a bite or open wound, and once symptoms show up it is almost always fatal. The CDC notes that more than 90% of reported animal rabies cases in the United States involve wildlife such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Health guidance is straightforward: wash any animal bite immediately and seek medical care right away so a provider can decide whether post-exposure treatment is needed.
Protecting pets and children
Hollywood Park police told residents to tighten up everyday habits to keep families and pets safer. That means keeping dogs on short leashes, bringing outdoor cats indoors, securing trash and skipping the practice of leaving pet food outside, per FOX San Antonio. Anyone who spots an animal showing possible signs of rabies is urged to contact Hollywood Park Animal Control at (210) 378-1898 or the city’s 24-hour dispatch line at (210) 335-6000. The Texas Department of State Health Services also reminds pet owners that state law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age.
Where this fits in Bexar County
Local officials say the Hollywood Park case is not an isolated incident for the area. The Houston Chronicle noted that a rabid fox was confirmed in Bexar County last October. In previous spikes, county and city agencies have responded with vaccination clinics and higher-profile public-health messaging. With the latest wildlife cases, public-health authorities are again urging residents to report unusual animal behavior and keep vaccinations current.
For now, Hollywood Park police and animal-control officials are asking neighbors to stay vigilant and make sure pet shots are up to date. If you or your pet is bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly, contact a health-care provider or veterinarian, and report the incident so the animal involved can be evaluated and tested. More information about rabies prevention and what to do after a possible exposure is available from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
