TYRRELL NEWS

McCLEES RABIES 8/31/15

 

 Town manager Rhett White barehandedly captured a rabid fox on North Road Street on August 26.

 

White said he received a report about 10:30 a.m. of a strange-acting fox in the vicinity of Green and Light streets and Virginia Avenue.

 

Several residents called 911, he said, but District Court was in session and wildlife officers and sheriff’s deputies were unavailable for immediate response.

 

Tyrrell animal control director Cecil Lilley was in a meeting.

 

A search of the area around 11:30 revealed nothing, but just before lunchtime a fox was seen on the east side of North Road Street, near the Columbia High/Middle School campus.

 

White went to the principal’s office to alert them to the potential danger. Meanwhile some residents said they saw a fox trying to get through their backyard fences where pre-school children play.

 

Glenn Brickhouse, whose residence adjoins the Faith Baptist Church property on North Road Street, called and said he saw a fox go under his house.

 

“I went over, and Glenn emerged from his house holding a baseball bat,” White said. “We walked around the house, giving the fox a wide berth. Suddenly, the fox broke out at Glenn, who went up onto his car’s hood. Then the fox charged me from about 20 feet. I had no tree to climb or car or propare tank to get up onto, so I faced it with no tools.

 

“I kicked him, and he rolled two or three times. I attempted to kick again, but I slipped on the wet grass and landed on one knee just as he was coming right at me. The Lord was with me; I grabbed him by the neck, kept his mouth away from me, got to my feet, and choked him until he appeared lifeless. We put him into a solid waste rollout cart, but he revived in 12-15 minutes.”

 

 

Meanwhile, town alderman Sandra Owens had come with a rifle from her taxidermy shop two doors away, “but we were between two houses seeking a moving target, not a good place to shoot.”

 

By this time, Lilley had arrived. He took the animal to the county shelter. euthanized it, and sent the carcass to state veterinary officials in Raleigh where it was determined the animal was rabid.

 

 

“Foxes just don’t act that way,” White commented. “They’re mainly nocturnal. You may see one briefly, but usually they’re still for a long time. This one was acting very strangely.”

 

White said the fox scratched his right wrist and forearm, breaking the skin. Knowing rabies is carried in the saliva and that animals often lick themselves, he sought medical attention.

 

The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, “where I’m getting my shots, is dealing with two cases over there,” White said.

 

Two days later, when rabies was confirmed, county manager David Clegg and Lilley issued the following media release:

 

“On August 26, 2015, there was a confirmed attack on a human by a rabid fox in Tyrrell County. The event occurred in Columbia. This is the second attack in Tyrrell County in two months.

 

“The fox was sent to the state lab on August 27 by Tyrrell County Animal Control and the report of rabies was confirmed on August 28. The victim of the attack is being treated.

 

“Citizens of Tyrrell County should be on the watch for fox or raccoon that are acting irregularly, such as not running away when approached. If such an incident occurs, call the Tyrrell County Animal Control Department at 766-0033.

 

“Citizens of Tyrrell County should have their dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated against rabies as prescribed by law. Vaccinations are available from the Tyrrell County Animal Control Department for $10.

 

“Questions may be directed to Tyrrell County Animal Control Department.”

 

On July 13 there was a confirmed bite on a human by a rabid fox in the Alligator community, Lilley reported earlier.

 

END