In the wake of flooding in the Hill Country last month, an expert is urging people to keep pets away from rivers, lakes and other waterways in those areas to protect animals from contaminants.

Dr. Debra Zoran, co-founder and director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET), told KSAT that floodwaters are not considered safe for animals or people.

“All floodwaters have contaminants in them that are quite dangerous to humans and animals,” she said. “That’s whether you ingest them or whether they’re in contact with your skin.”

Zoran was deployed to Kerrville on July 4 with the university’s Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue.

She has been the agency’s veterinarian of record for several years and takes care of the rescue dogs.

“We know for a fact that in order to do their jobs,

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