Rabid fox bites three people in Ipswich, second aggressive fox killed

IPSWICH, Mass. — A fox that attacked several people in Ipswich over the past week has tested positive for rabies.

Three people were bit on Saturday, but when police and animal control arrived they were unable to find the fox in the area. A short time later, a resident killed the fox while it attacked one of his chickens.

One of the bite victims told Boston 25 News he went to help as a neighbor was being attacked, when the fox turned on him.

"I started to move away and I tripped,” Bob Nakashian said. "I'm on the ground, my wife comes out and she has the camera but she put it down because she sees me on the ground and the fox had my pants, my jeans, and was tearing at it.”

All three human victims are receiving treatment for rabies, which kills one or two people in the United States each year, but 55,000 globally.

Animal Control Officer Megan Boissoneau told Boston 25 News the attacks happened in the middle of the afternoon, and appear to be unprovoked.

"They were out in their yard and this animal just attacked them,” she said. "This is one of the first times we've seen a larger mammal bite a person.”

Signs of rabies include fever, lethargy, anorexia, abnormal behavior, aggression, seizures, foaming at the mouth and difficulty breathing and swallowing.

"We are taking these cases very seriously, and awareness is our best weapon in this situation," Acting Police Chief Jonathan Hubbard said. "Please heed these warnings and seek medical attention if you have come into contact with a fox recently or if you are bitten by a fox or other wild animal."

A second aggressive fox was also killed Monday, although officials do not believe that fox was rabid.

Tips for avoiding contact with Foxes:

1. If you see a fox in the daytime, it is not usually an indication of rabies. Healthy foxes can generally be out and about during the day. Seeing a fox in the daytime is not an automatic sign of danger, in the way seeing a raccoon in the daytime may be.
2. Foxes are naturally scared of people, so aggression or close approaches should be reported to the Ipswich Police Department.
3. Leash your pets if you know there are foxes in your neighborhood. Small cats and dogs are vulnerable to predatory attacks by a number of animals, including foxes, but if you are walking with your pet on a leash, the chances go down drastically.
4. Don't leave pet food outside, and cover your trash. Foxes are scavengers, and they look for opportunities. A hungry fox will take food right off your doorstep or right out of your trash barrel.
5. Do not approach or pet foxes or fox pups. Do not feed them.
6. Keep bird feeders off the ground so that they cannot be easily reached. If you start to see foxes regularly, it's best to remove bird feeders
7. It is illegal to discharge a firearm in populated areas. Do not shoot foxes or fire warning shots in the air.

Cox Media Group