Fox Bites Dog Owner and Dog: Lewisboro Supervisor Sounds Alarm

LEWISBORO, NY — Town of Lewisboro Supervisor Peter H. Parsons is warning the public after a local resident and their family pet were bitten by a wild fox. He said the incident in which both the dog and dog owner were bitten occurred Wednesday, March 31 in the Waccabuc area of town.

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Parsons said town officials learned of the fox attack from the Department of Health. So far, no other hazardous animal encounters have been reported in the area.

“These animals tend to bite if they are rabid or are protecting their pups,” Parsons said in the alert issued on Friday. “We do not know if this fox is rabid but wanted to alert the community of this situation.”

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In November of 2019, a rabid red fox attacked five people, including a police officer in Essex County, New Jersey. It was later determined that the animal had rabies. In 2016, testing by the Westchester County Department of Health discovered seven animals, including a fox, a bat, a skunk and three raccoons tested positive for rabies. The survey tested 150 animals during the first five months of the year.

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Supervisor Parsons urged the public to be aware of their surroundings and to distance themselves and their pets from any wild animals, including foxes, that are aggressive. He said anyone encountering an animal they suspect of having rabies should immediately call 911 or the Lewisboro Police Department at 914-763-8903.