Fox That Attacked Kids Tests Positive For Rabies
UPDATE: State lab tests results have confirmed that the fox from the Primrose School and Kennedy Middle school incidents has tested positive for rabies.
CHARLOTTE, NC — A bizarre encounter for CMPD officers faced by a fox that was attacking children outside two Charlotte schools.
The wild animal bit three kids before police could kill it.
The children are undergoing precautionary rabies treatment while the Health Department tests the animal for rabies.
Parents had one reaction once the panic settled and the kids were safe: “That’s crazy!” said Amy Massey.
It was Tuesday afternoon playtime at Primrose Pre-School near Gallant Lane when the fox came toward the students.
Preschool mother Barry Mahal says childrens’ screams didn’t scare the wild animal.
It bit two students before teachers could get the kids inside.
“They absolutely fought hard to get the fox out of the way, so the teachers were kicking at that fox,” said Mahal. “They did a great job to get it off and get kids to safety.”
Animal Care and Control couldn’t find the fox. Less than an house later, half a mile away, the fox was back. It attacked an 11-year-old girl outside Kennedy Middle School.
A CMPD officer found it under bleachers. It tried to attack him. He fired his shotgun and killed it.
“It could happen at school, anywhere. You could be at a park,” said Nicole Middleton as she picked up her child at Kennedy Middle School.
Animal Care and Control says Charlotte’s growing population is moving into wildlife territory, and rabies is moving into the community.
They’ve worked at least 12 cases of rabies this year.
“If they see a human, and you clap your hands and yell, typically wildlife will leave,” said Animal Care and Control’s Melissa Knicely. “If they don’t do that, you want to take a little precaution.”
It’s something city parents we spoke with never thought to tell their children.
“I never though about that,” said Massey. “Not here!”
The Health Department should know if the animal was rabid in two days.
