Rabid attacks involved fox, raccoon

Two reports of attacks by rabid animals have occurred here in the past week.

Sheriff Eric Tilley said a fox attacked two adults walking in their backyard, and a raccoon attacked a dog inside a dog pen. Both the fox and raccoon were killed and sent to the state lab for testing which determined each suffered from rabies.

In the first attack, two adults were walking from their swimming pool to their Hopewell Road home after an late-night swim when the fox attacked, biting both the man and the woman. The man, Tilley said, fought the fox with a baseball bat, killing the animal. The attack was unprovoked, and occurred in the southern end of the county.

In the second attack, which occurred at the opposite end of the county, a raccoon climbed inside a dog pen at a Chapanoke Road home and attacked a Labrador Retriever.

From staff reports

When the pet’s owner returned home, the raccoon was found dead inside the dog pen.

Tilley encourages residents to be cautious and aware of any wild animals in the yard, especially ones acting strangely.

“Don’t approach the animal,” he said. “Call animal control.”

From staff reports