Squirrel's Sneak Attack Puts Chicago Alderman in the Hospital, Rodent in the Grave

CHICAGO, IL — Alderman Howard Brookins (21st Ward) was released from the hospital last week after he was seriously hurt in "a freak bicycle accident" that even the politician finds humorously ridiculous despite the injuries he suffered.

While biking the Cal-Sag Trail on Nov. 13, Brookins was attacked by a squirrel that flung itself at the bike's front wheel in what is being interpreted as retaliation against the alderman calling for a crackdown against "aggressive" members of the squirrel community at a City Council meeting last month, according to Kim Janssen of Chicago Inc. in the Chicago Tribune.

The assault resulted in the squirrel's body lodging itself into the wheel's spokes, which launched Brookins over his bike's handlebars and onto the pavement, Janssen's report stated. The alderman fractured his skull, had five or six teeth knocked out and will need treatment for a broken nose, the report added.

The squirrel did not survive the offensive. Talking to Janssen, Brookins compared the rodent's actions to "a suicide bomber, getting revenge."

"I am sorry to report that I will be unable to attend any Ward or neighborhood events for the near future as I was seriously injured in a freak bicycle accident," Brookins wrote in a Facebook update Sunday that also included a photo of his bike, the squirrel's stiff corpse still wedged between its spokes. "First, I am okay and I have been recovering in the hospital since the accident. I will, however, require multiple surgeries to recover from damage to my face and upper body.

"Please excuse my inability to attend the events I had promised, as my recovery will take some time. Although I am happy to correspond by phone and email for pressing matters, I cannot travel to and from events and provide you with the service you deserve until my treatment is complete and I have sufficiently recovered."

The leaders of Chicago's squirrel community could not be reached for comment by Patch, because they are busy gathering seeds, acorns and nuts before winter arrives and rarely answer their cellphones or respond to emails during this time of year.

Although it was unclear if the attack was under criminal investigation, Brookins, who was released from the hospital Thursday, told the Tribune he would call animal control if any other squirrels tried to finish what the first one started.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Alderman Howard Brookins' bicycle after he was attacked Nov. 13 on the Cal-Sag Trail by a squirrel with a violent agenda. (photo via Brookins | Facebook)

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