Fox Encounters Stir Rabies Concerns 5/20/08

A homeowner in Sunset Lake Village was scratched by a fox Tuesday morning, and Holly Springs Animal Control officers are attempting to trap the animal to determine whether it has rabies.

The incident was one of at least four occasions in the past couple of weeks in which Town residents have had close encounters with the normally reclusive animals.

Although rabies is not suspected in all cases, Animal Control officers say healthy foxes usually avoid people. So officers are cautioning residents against approaching the animals and asking them to report such encounters by calling (919) 557-9111.

Loss of wildlife habitat is bringing humans and wildlife such as foxes in closer proximity. Animals impaired by rabies or other disease may act unpredictably or aggressively, approaching people rather than running away.

The Sunset Lake Village homeowner was attacked while gardening.

"She heard something, looked up and saw the fox about 5 feet from her," said Lt. Anthony Revels, who oversees Animal Control officers.

The fox charged toward the homeowner and scratched her, but did not break the skin, Revels said. The homeowner has not undergone rabies prevention treatment thus far.

Last weekend, another homeowner in Sunset Lake Village reported being chased by what she thought was a cat. Animal Control officers set out a cat trap. After the incident Tuesday morning, they concluded the animal probably was the fox and set out a larger trap.

Recently, two homeowners elsewhere in Holly Springs have reported seeing a fox in their yard or in woods nearby. A homeowner in the Holly Glen subdivision off Avent Ferry Road said a fox had taken up residence in a small patch of woods near the yard.

"It was approaching close to the back porch while [people] were out there, before dark," Animal Control Officer Karen Rogers said.

Revels said Animal Control officers trapped that fox, which appeared healthy, and released it in woods away from any homes.

Rogers asked that residents report any unusual sightings of foxes, including those that occur in daylight or close to homes, especially if they see the animal more than once. Don't approach the animal.

"They are extremely aggressive animals when they feel they are being threatened," she said

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us