Wild Fox Finally Caught In DC After Biting Several, Including Congressman

[IronLionZion]

https://dc101.iheart.com/content/2022-04-06-wild-fox-finally-caught-in-dc-after-biting-several-including-congressman/

A fox was captured by U.S. Capitol Police after reports of aggressive encounters "on or near the grounds of the U.S. Capitol," which included a House of Representatives member being bit by the wild animal.

"We have received several reports of aggressive fox encounters on or near the grounds of the U.S. Capitol," U.S. Capitol Police shared on Twitter prior to capturing the fox. "For your safety, please do not approach any foxes. Animal Control Officers are working to trap and relocate any foxes they find."

The department shared the photos shortly after Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) told reporters he'd been bitten Monday (April 4) night outside the Russell Senate Office building during an "unprovoked" attack.

“I didn’t see it and all of a sudden I felt something lunge at the back of my leg,” Bera said via Punchbowl News managing editor Heather Caygle. “I jumped and got my umbrella."

Tweets at link. This fox sounds like a menace if he's doing sneak attacks unprovoked.

[Walleye]

1. I'm still wondering if the fox was tested for rabies

[Historic NY]

4. There is only one way to test.

If they are, it's post mortem

[Walleye]

5. So that's still true that's a shame. We had a rabbit fox around Delaware this week

[multigraincracker]

7. Requires removing the head of the animal

so brain tissue can be tested.

[IronLionZion]

8. A vet would evaluate it's symptoms before killing it

Because rabies is a death sentence. It would die if infected.

[Walleye]

9. Yes I was imagining that a thorough examination by a vet would suffice

[imaginary girl]

2. They should check for babies ...

Sounds like it could be a protective parent.

[Chainfire]

3. This is not "news." Fox attacking Democrats is old shoe.

[Historic NY]

6. Snort.

[doc03]

10. They should check and make sure the fox didnt

get rabies from biting congressmen.

[IronLionZion]

11. DC Fox Caught on Capitol Grounds Euthanized, Tested Positive for Rabies

https://dc101.iheart.com/content/2022-04-06-dc-fox-caught-on-capitol-grounds-euthanized-tested-positive-for-rabies/

The DC fox, which reportedly bit multiple people in the area of the Capitol grounds including a California congressman, has been euthanized. Officials have also determined that the fox had rabies.

The D.C. public health lab "confirmed the fox that was captured yesterday tested positive for the rabies virus," says D.C. Health in a statement.

Officials say they have "confirmed" that 9 people were bitten by the fox. After it was captured on Tuesday, the red fox was "humanely euthanized" so that it could be tested for rabies. In order to test the animal for rabies, it must be euthanized so that brain tissue samples can be evaluated.

Health officials are now conducting outreach to the 9 people who were bitten.

The fox's offspring were also captured Wednesday morning, but it's unclear at this time what will be done with them. Officials say that it is not unusual for a mother fox to become aggressive to protect its offspring, but that this fox in particular was much more aggressive than normal for its species.

A wildlife program manager noted that this fox was "traveling blocks to attack people."

Damn fox