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Things are getting wild in Northern Virginia: Raccoon and fox attacks reported Things are getting wild in Northern Virginia: Raccoon and fox attacks reported
(35 minutes later)
A man fought off a raccoon that bit him and eventually killed it by putting his foot on its throat in Fairfax County. And two women were bitten by foxes in separate incidents in the county.A man fought off a raccoon that bit him and eventually killed it by putting his foot on its throat in Fairfax County. And two women were bitten by foxes in separate incidents in the county.
The incident with the raccoon happened Thursday around 11 a.m. in the Clifton area. The incident with the raccoon happened Thursday about 11 a.m. in the Clifton area.
Police said the man was awakened by a raccoon in his home. It’s not immediately clear how the animal got inside.Police said the man was awakened by a raccoon in his home. It’s not immediately clear how the animal got inside.
The man fought off the raccoon and was “bitten during the struggle.” The man managed to put his foot on the raccoon’s throat “until it stopped breathing,” according to police.The man fought off the raccoon and was “bitten during the struggle.” The man managed to put his foot on the raccoon’s throat “until it stopped breathing,” according to police.
He then “bagged and transported the animal” to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, police said. The man got medical treatment. There were no immediate details on how badly he was hurt.He then “bagged and transported the animal” to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, police said. The man got medical treatment. There were no immediate details on how badly he was hurt.
And there were two women who encountered by foxes. About 8 a.m. Wednesday, a woman was running on a trail in Riverbend Park on Potomac Hills Street when she came upon a fox, which bit her.
Around 8 a.m. Wednesday, a woman was running on a trail in Riverbend Park on Potomac Hills Street when she came upon a fox, which bit her. She went to Reston Hospital Center and was undergoing preventive treatment for possible exposure to rabies, police said. Authorities temporarily closed the trail.
She went to Reston Hospital Center and was undergoing “preventative treatment” for possible exposure to rabies, police said. Authorities temporarily closed the trail.
An hour later, another woman went to check on her chickens in the 9100 block of Potomac Woods Lane — about two miles from Riverbend Park — and she was “confronted and bitten by a fox,” police said. The woman also went to the Reston hospital for treatment.An hour later, another woman went to check on her chickens in the 9100 block of Potomac Woods Lane — about two miles from Riverbend Park — and she was “confronted and bitten by a fox,” police said. The woman also went to the Reston hospital for treatment.
It was not clear if it was the same fox. Police said the fox or foxes remain on the loose. It was not clear whether it was the same fox. Police said the fox or foxes remain on the loose.
It is not known if the animals in each of the incidents have rabies. It was not known whether the animals in each of the incidents have rabies.
The incidents come after authorities warned residents to watch out for a rabid raccoon that was in the Arlington area of 3700 block of Military Road on Feb. 28. The raccoon was captured and euthanized by authorities. It tested positive for rabies. The incidents come after authorities warned residents to watch out for a rabid raccoon that was in the 3700 block of Military Road in Arlington on Feb. 28. The raccoon was captured and euthanized by authorities. It tested positive for rabies.
[Rabid raccoon caught and euthanized in Arlington][Rabid raccoon caught and euthanized in Arlington]
There have been other reports of fox attacks in Northern Virginia.There have been other reports of fox attacks in Northern Virginia.
In February, officials in Arlington County said a couple was attacked by a fox as they walked in the 4400 block of North Old Glebe Road. The man kicked in the direction of the fox as it lunged toward him, according to an animal control officer. The fox, police said, charged at the man a few times before taking off. In February, officials in Arlington said a couple was attacked by a fox as they walked in the 4400 block of North Old Glebe Road. The man kicked in the direction of the fox as it lunged toward him, according to an animal control officer. The fox, police said, charged at the man a few times before taking off.
Another fox bit and scratched a woman in February as she was in her yard in McLean.Another fox bit and scratched a woman in February as she was in her yard in McLean.
[Authorities search for couple and possible rabid fox after attack in Arlington][Authorities search for couple and possible rabid fox after attack in Arlington]
Officials are reminding residents to be careful and to keep pets on leashes.Officials are reminding residents to be careful and to keep pets on leashes.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to a sick animal or bitten by one should call 703-691-2131.Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to a sick animal or bitten by one should call 703-691-2131.