AMARILLO, TEXAS -- On Wednesday, we brought you up to speed with the latest totals of reported rabies cases across the area, with skunks making up almost 90 percent of those 48 reports.
Since then, we've heard from a number of you about the problem in their own backyards.
About 14 years ago, Sandy and Andi Wardlaw set up their home south of the park at 45th and Coulter. And while that's one of the things they like best about their area, it also has some problems in the way of unwanted animals.
"But it seems like this year, we've seen more skunks. I would walk my dogs out there a lot at night and of course, they'll see them first, and I carry a flashlight and then I'll see the skunk and fortunately, it's always run away from us," said Wardlaw.
With rabies nearing 50 cases this year, the Wardlaw's became concerned about walking their dogs in the park, but due to the increased sightings, Amarillo animal control office is being strecthed thin and were out of traps, according to Shannon Barlow, Amarillo's Assistant Director of Animal Control.
"We did have a shortage of traps and we just got a new shipment and we're expecting another shipment of traps, because we've had such a great demand."
Wardlaw says he doesn't want to see all the wildlife rounded up and killed, but when it comes to any wild animal carrying dieseases, he says it's better to be safe than sorry.
"I'm not sure what it is. You're never going to get rid of all of them, and I enjoy wildlife but you have to weigh the enjoying that with the dangers that they might pose."
And Barlow adds you can do your part by having your pets vaccinated and taking up any food and water and keeping it out of any wild animals' reach.
"Put the food and water sources away at night if you don't have animals outside. Put those sources away so they don't attract those unnecessary varmits to a residential area."
If you do see an unwated animal in your neighborhood, contact animal control or your local sheriff department immediately.
