Wild fox bites jogger in Clinton Township
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Residents should not be surprised if they encounter a wild fox during this time of the year, the township animal control office warns.
The advisory was prompted by an incident at about 3:50 p.m. March 11 when a wild fox ran out of the woods and bit an identified man who was jogging on Overbrook Road near Chalfonte Drive.
The jogger told township Patrolman Lawrence Anthes that while he was running, a fox came out of the woods, began whining, then ran toward him and bit his pants leg at his calf, police said. The man said he kicked the fox several times before the animal finally let go of his leg and ran back into the woods.
Anthes said the man's skin did not appear to have been punctured, but the victim reported irritation and itching in the area of the bite. The man went to Hunterdon Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
Anthes searched the immediate area and called Animal Control Officer Doug Rohl to catch the fox for rabies testing, but the animal could not be located.
Rohl said foxes are more active than usual during this time of year because they are about to give birth to pups. He said foxes are mostly nocturnal, wandering all night in search of food.
"Contact with foxes right now is higher than ever, especially during early-morning hours," Rohl said. "It'll pass in the spring as the pups grow."
Rohl said he recommends starting rabies treatment whenever there is a possibility of a puncture or a transfer of saliva or fluids from a wild animal bite.
"Once we know the animal tests negative for rabies, we can stop the treatment," Rohl said.
He said that residents should not try to handle wild animals on their own, but should instead call police or animal control.
Credits: By Walter O'Brien, APP.com
