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Rabies alert issued in north Forsyth
Fox attacked worker, bit two dogs
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Forsyth County News

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert to north Forsyth residents after a possible rabid fox attacked a worker and later bit two dogs in a subdivision off Ga. 400.

According to the sheriff’s office, the first incident occurred early Tuesday morning on the golf course in the Hampton community.

“The worker was attacked by the fox around 6 a.m.,” said Sheriff’s Lt. David Waters. “The fox did not bite him. He was able to fight it off, but the fox was aggressive.

“It basically ran over to the worker and began attacking him.”

Later that day, between 10 a.m. and noon, the fox bit two dogs in an area near the subdivision’s clubhouse.

Both dogs were current on their rabies shots, according to Waters.

“They were taken to the veterinarian, where they received a booster shot,” he said. “Both dogs have been quarantined to watch them for any possible symptoms.” 

Animal control officers are patrolling the area, searching for the fox.

“We do not know at this time if the fox is rabid or not,” Waters said. “However, it is exhibiting signs of aggressiveness, which is something wild animals do when they are rabid.”

If confirmed as rabid, the fox would be the county’s third rabies case this year, all in north Forsyth.

The most recent case occurred Aug. 29, when a rabid raccoon bit a 72-year-old man in a barn off of Hopewell Road in northwest Forsyth.

The first encounter occurred in June off Waldrip Road in northeast Forsyth. It involved a rabid fox biting a dog and a 45-year-old man.

“In addition to Forsyth County, Dawson County and Hall County have also had several confirmed cases of rabies this year,” Waters said.

Hall has had at least 21 confirmed cases of rabies.

Waters urged anyone who spots an aggressive fox in north Forsyth to call 911. Possible rabid wild animals are aggressive instead of running away from people and other animals.

In addition, he said, residents should keep a close watch on children and pets when outdoors.

“If you have not had your pet vaccinated, we urge you to do so before there is any possibility of an exposure to rabies,” Waters said.