Wandering Fox Euthanized: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Police are advising residents to avoid contact with certain wildlife animals after a sick fox was recently found in a roadway and eventually euthanized. Hamden Animal Control responded to Sherman Avenue on Feb. 23 on the report of a “sick fox in the roadway,” according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Assistant Animal Control Officer Mitch Gibbs was notified that the fox had entered a local warehouse and that an “unknown male” had earlier carried the fox to the side of the road, according to Smith. Gibbs used a catch pole to snare the fox, which was having multiple seizures, according to Smith.

Smith said the fox was euthanized and taken to the Connecticut State Laboratory for testing. Gibbs was able to locate the man who made contact with the sick fox. The man told police that he had “pet the fox to calm it down” and then carried it to side of the road, according to Smith. The man was advised to contact his physician immediately, Smith said.

“Hamden Police and Hamden Animal Control would like to advise the public that several species of wildlife are considered ‘rabies vector animals,’” Smith said. “Rabies is a fatal virus primarily found in bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Please refrain from coming in contact with these animals.”

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