New Hampshire Residents Terrorized by Unknown Furry Creature, Told to ‘Remain Aware of Their Surroundings’ Due to Fear of Rabies
A neighborhood in New Hampshire is facing a rather unusual yet concerning threat after numerous reports of an “unusually aggressive” wild animal attacking people in the area. So far, the animal is thought to have attacked multiple people and was even caught on camera attacking two unsuspecting residents.
The attacks took place in the Centerra Park area in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with the creature being described as a gray fox or fisher. Residents in the area are being advised to “remain aware of their surroundings” following the recent uptick in attacks. Police also suspect the same animal is behind the attacks, as per The New York Post.
There are concerns that the animal’s aggression could be a sign of rabies, but as police have not been able to locate the attacker, they “cannot confirm what type of animal is involved.”
Footage of the animal shows its aggression
Blurry footage shared by numerous outlets shows the small animal approaching two people near a U-Haul truck before launching into a vicious attack. The animal is seen appearing to bite the legs of the two people as they desperately try to kick the creature away. The animal is then seen clumsily recovering from the kick before scrambling away underneath the truck.
The initial attack was reported on Sunday, with two more following shortly after. The latest attack was reported on Monday. The animal is suspected to be a fisher cat, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Lebanon Police Chief Phillip Roberts said that an animal attacking people is “usually indicative of something being wrong with the animal, most likely rabies,” adding that the numerous reports were “concerning.”
One local said that knowing the animal was out there was “the scariest thing,” adding, “Like there’s not enough to look out for these days, now you gotta look out for fisher cats in the parking lot.”
Residents are warned not to approach the animal
The police are currently working to find the animal with the help of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and they hope to find out whether it is sick. In the meantime, residents in the area have been warned to stay away from the animal if they see it and then call the Lebanon police or Fish and Game.
Anyone bitten by the animal should also take precautions in case it is carrying rabies. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no way to know whether an animal has transmitted the rabies virus to you, so if you are bitten, it is important to wash the wound and immediately seek medical attention, as once the infection is established, there is no cure and, in most cases, the infection will lead to death. If caught before the infection is established, then treatment involves a series of shots that will prevent the virus from taking hold.
(Featured image: WMUR-TV, YouTube)
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