North Forsyth Residents Warned of Possible Rabid Fox
--By Staff Writer on --
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of North Forsyth county, in and near The Hampton’s subdivision, located off of Ga. Hwy. 400, to be on the look-out for a possible rabid fox.
According to Lt. David Waters of the Special Services Section of the Special Operations Division, a fox attacked a grounds maintenance worker on Tuesday while he was working on the golf course. “The worker was attacked by the fox around 6 a.m.,” stated Lt. Waters. “The fox did not bite him. He was able to fight it off, but the fox was aggressive. It basically ran over to the worker and began attacking him.”
On that same day, between 10 a.m. and noon, the fox bit two dogs in an area near The Hampton’s club house. Both dogs were up-to-date on their rabies shots, Lt. Waters said. “They were taken to the veterinarian where they received a booster shot. Both dogs have been quarantined to watch them for any possible symptoms.”
Officers from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Unit are currently patrolling the area, searching for the fox. “We do not know at this time if the fox is rabid or not. However, it is exhibiting signs of aggressiveness, which is something wild animals do when they are rabid,” added Lt. Waters.
Two wild animals – one fox and one raccoon – were confirmed as being rabid in Forsyth County this year. The first confirmed case was in June in northeast Forsyth County, off of Waldrip Road. A rabid fox bit a dog and then bit a 45-year-old man. The second confirmed case was on Aug. 29 when a rabid raccoon attacked and bit a 72-year-old man as he was entering his barn off of Hopewell Road, in northwest Forsyth County.
“In addition to Forsyth County, Dawson County and Hall County have also had several confirmed cases of rabies this year,” said Lt. Waters. “We urge anyone who may spot a fox in the North Forsyth area being aggressive, to immediately call 911. We warn persons to also keep a close watch on children that are outside playing as well as their pets.”
A sign of a wild animal possibly being rabid is the animal is aggressive towards humans and other animals. The wild animal would normally flee from humans, but instead does not seem afraid.
Animal Control urges everyone to make sure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations. “If you have not had your pet vaccinated, we urge you to do so before there is any possibility of an exposure to rabies,” added Lt. Waters.