Watch: Fox Spotted In Snowy Port Chester Neighbor's Yard

PORT CHESTER, NY — The old adage is that the early bird catches the worm, but that's just as true for foxes. So it's no wonder doorbell camera footage caught one fox snooping around a Port Chester resident's front lawn around 4:15 a.m. Thursday.

Video posted on the Neighbors app shows the animal stroll into the front yard, sniff around for a moment and dart off into the night.

Foxes out during the day are "no cause for alarm," though it's possible they can contract rabies, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Both red and gray foxes are scavengers and live near people in cities and towns. While they typically avoid humans, the allure of a tasty snack — such as pet food and unsecured garbage — can lead to a brief visit.

Usually, it's best to leave the foragers alone, the organization said. Unless they're rabid — which is very rare — or captured, foxes are not dangerous to humans. However, foxes can prey on small pets or livestock, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens. That means pets should be kept indoors or housed in sturdy structures. A typical adult cat is nearly the same size as a fox and has a "well-deserved reputation for self-defense," the humane society said. As such, foxes typically leave full-grown felines alone, unless they're kittens or under 5 pounds.

Most dogs are not at risk of a fox attack unless they have threatened its kits. Miniature dogs are "especially vulnerable to harm" from predators, though, including foxes.

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