Rabid fox bites Brunswick County woman

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A fox in Brunswick County that attacked two people and a cat tested positive for rabies.

The Shelter Director of the Brunswick County Sheriff's Animal Protective Services, Lt. Thomas Tolley, confirmed a fox that was sent to the state lab for rabies testing Tuesday tested positive for the rabies virus.

A woman in the Juniper Creek Subdivision off of Old Fayetteville Road in Leland was walking in the area with a child when she was approached by an erratic behaving fox that proceeded to attack her, resulting in a bite to her leg. The woman immediately contacted Animal Protective Services and an officer was sent out to inspect the area.

The officer set multiple traps throughout the area and checked on those traps several times throughout the day. At one check, the officer saw a fox, which matched the description of the fox reported by the woman earlier, attacking a cat. The fox then attacked the officer, also resulting in exposure to his leg. That officer then called for additional APS officers who arrived on the scene and dispatched the animal.

The cat that was attacked by the fox was found later, taken to be observed by a local vet, and had to be euthanized due to its injuries and contact with the rabid animal.

Both the woman and the officer who were exposed to the rabid fox are receiving post exposure treatment.

The Brunswick County Health Department, along with Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services will be sponsoring a rabies clinic on Saturday, April 11. The cost is only $6.

The clinics will be held at various times and locations throughout the county and will be listed on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook and web pages.