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Police in Washington, D.C., have captured a small fox after receiving a number of reviews of individuals being attacked or bitten on Capitol grounds. Each Consultant Ami Bera and Politico reporter Ximena Bustillo confirmed to CBS Information on Tuesday that they’d been attacked by a fox whereas strolling outdoors the Capitol.
Capitol police tweeted photographs of the now-caged fox on Tuesday afternoon with the caption “Captured.”
Bera advised CBS Information that he was strolling outdoors of the Russell Senate Workplace constructing when one thing got here up behind him “completely unprovoked” and attacked the again of his leg. He mentioned onlookers rapidly began yelling to Capitol police, and the fox ran away. Bera mentioned the chunk was very mild, tearing a gap in his pants however not his sock or leg.
However, Bera — who can also be a doctor — mentioned he began a course of the rabies vaccine simply to be secure.
“You need to take wild animal bites — even a scratch — critically,” he mentioned.
Bustillo, an agriculture coverage reporter, advised CBS Information that whereas leaving the Hill at roughly 3 p.m. on Tuesday, she felt a “pinch” on her ankle.
“At first I assumed it was squirrel or a rat, after which the fox ran up in entrance of me,” she mentioned.
Bustillo mentioned she swung her backpack on the fox as a result of she was afraid it could soar in her face, including that it ran off as soon as others close by began yelling. Although she mentioned she was not critically injured, she is getting the rabies vaccine as effectively.
The fox’s seize comes after Capitol police issued an alert to the Senate group warning of attainable fox dens on Capitol grounds. The alert, which was obtained by CBS Information, mentioned police acquired reviews of assaults or bites on the Botanic Backyard and on the Home aspect of the Capitol close to the constructing basis.
“Foxes are wild animals which can be very protecting of their dens and territory. Please don’t strategy any fox you see,” the alert mentioned.
It’s not clear what number of foxes have been behind the reported assaults.
Capitol police additionally tweeted an alert Tuesday, writing that there have been “a number of reviews of aggressive fox encounters” at or close to the Capitol constructing. Police added that animal management officers are working to lure and relocate the creatures.
The reviews of “aggressive” fox encounters seem to contradict the species’ typical conduct. Foxes are typically afraid of people and are more likely to run away than assault, in keeping with the Humane Society.
The Humane Society mentioned foxes are sometimes not a hazard to people except they’re rabid, or if they’ve been captured or dealt with — although it famous that foxes raised in city areas might affiliate individuals with meals and act extra boldly. The foxes might assault small pets, nonetheless, particularly if the pets have come close to their younger or are sufficiently small to be thought-about prey.
To scare a fox away, the Humane Society recommends making loud noises, dousing them with water or throwing a small object at them.
Ellis Kim and Zak Hudak contributed reporting.
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