Earlier this month a rash of fox attacks were reported in Saratoga. Some reports came from Skidmore College and in a separate case a female was bitten on her arm while jogging on the Railroad Run trail near West Circular Street. The attacking fox in that incident was shot and killed by a Saratoga Springs police officer. According to Times Union, that fox has now tested positive for rabies.

 

The fox bite may be minor in nature but the concern is Rabies. According to the Mayo Clinic:

  • Rabies is a deadly virus
  • The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite
  • Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks.
  • Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death.
  • Anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccinations for protection.
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While there have been reports of fox attacks in New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia and New York in 2021, Wildlife Online states that the result of a fox attack is typically a minor bite and extremely rare. When they do occur it's usually because someone tried to feed the animal or the animal is rabid. If you see a fox, keep your distance and contact the DEC at 1-844-332-3267.

Seeing a fox during the daytime does not mean that the animal is rabid. Animal Food Planet suggests that, chances are, they are hunting for food. Here are a few items found in the diet of a fox:

  • Small Mammals - (squirrel, rat, chipmunk)
  • Birds
  • Eggs
  • Insects
  • Berries

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