3 Capital Region New York Residents Attacked and Bitten By Rabid Fox

It's not every day that you encounter fox on your property, in town or even in the woods. Cats and dogs are obviously common sights with fox sightings landing somewhere between deer and bear sighting. It's even more unlikely to encounter a rabid fox.

Earlier this month 3 Rensselaer County residents not only crossed paths with a rabid fox but all 3 were attacked and bitten.

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On Wednesday August 9th, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in the small town of Valley Falls, two children and an elderly woman were bitten by a fox.

DEC Officers as well as New York State Troopers responded to a call from a mobile home community where the 3 were attacked by a fox. On their initial visit authorities could not locate the fox in question.

Later that same day Troopers received a follow-up call stating that the fox had returned. Officials eventually made contact with the animal as the fox emerged from a wooded area and charged at Troopers, growling loudly.

Officers were forced to put down the fox before it caused further injuries. The animal tested positive for rabies at the DEC Pathology lab in Albany County and the three bite victims were treated at Albany Medical Center, with one victim requiring eight stitches.

How do you know if a fox has rabies? The Humane Society reports that you should look for the following signs;

• Partial paralysis or the inability to use their limbs well.
• Circling or staggering as if drunk.
• Self-mutilation.
• Acting aggressively for no reason.
• Acting unnaturally tame.

If you observe these signs contact the New York State Department of Health.