Officials: A Fox Attacked 2 People In East Lyme & Wasn't Captured

EAST LYME, CT — A fox attacked two people in East Lyme Monday, Ledge Light Director of Health Stephen Mansfield told Patch.

East Lyme Police said in a statement that at around 10:20 a.m., they received a 911 call that two people were attacked by an animal "believed to be a fox," outside a Heritage Drive house.

Waterford East Lyme Animal Control Officer Robert Yuchniuk told Patch that he and police have been searching for the fox without luck.

"We've searched and talked to people in the neighborhood but nothing," Yuchniuk said.

When asked if officials are certain it was a fox, he said "all the people we talked to were 100% sure it was a fox."

Yuchniuk, East Lyme Police and the Flanders Fire Department Ambulance responded to the call about the attack.

One of the people attacked by the fox, presumed to be rabid, was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for treatment. Yuchniuk said that the other person attacked and injured was driven in a private vehicle to the hospital. They have not been named nor their conditions provided.

The daytime attack could mean the usually nocturnal animal was ill.

Yuchniuk said it's "highly unusual" for a fox to been seen and then attack during the daytime. He said the unusual "behavior means it might be sick." He cautioned that if anyone sees a wild animal during the day that "looks like he's drunk, that could be a sign" the animal is rabid.

Residents were cautioned that if they saw a fox in that area, to call or email animal control.

"The public should refrain from feeding or approaching any wild or stray animals," the alert from Ledge Light reads, and includes info on rabies.

"Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. It is spread mostly by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs may also become infected and spread the virus. The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ledge Light Health District at 448-4882 or the Animal Control Officer at (860) 442-9451.