Fox attacks Wake Forest teen

Wake Forest, N.C. — A 13-year-old boy was attacked by a fox on Monday afternoon in a wooded area in the Twin Creeks community in Wake Forest.

Jesse Frutiger said he was in the woods when the animal approached him and immediately started hissing. He said he threw a rock at the fox and that’s when the animal lunged at him.

“It actually jumps through two trees and latches onto my hand and it’s just sitting there, biting my hand,” Frutiger said of the incident.

Frutiger says he managed to kick the fox away, but not before he was bitten on his hand and upper leg.

Frutiger’s family believes the animal was a silver or gray fox.

Jesse's mom, Erika Frutiger, said it wasn't the first fight that day with the animal. The family dog, Bella, was the first victim.

Erika Frutiger said she saw the fox and the dog in the grass fighting.

Jesse Frutiger is now receiving a series of nine shots because the family wasn't sure if the fox was rabid. Bella received a rabies booster shot.

And as for walks in the woods, the Frutigers stick together and won't stray too far from home.

“We don’t let the dog run anymore. We don’t go back there ourselves,” Erika Frutiger said.

Wake County Animal Control said it doesn't receive many fox calls, though there has been a slight increase this year.

In July, a Raleigh man was attacked by a rabid fox along Chesterfield Road. Scott Thompson said he had to fight the animal off with a bat.

Though he was not scratched or bitten, Thompson still had to get shots to be safe.

Earlier that same day, a dog just down the road was chased by a strange acting fox.

Wildlife officials say if you see an animal you think is sick, call your local animal control.

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Longshanks, once I encountered a raccoon that was staggering around in my yard. I called the Dept. of Wildlife and said, "There's a wild animal in my yard. It may be rabid. What should I do, throw a rock at it?" The Wildlife guy said, "Hang on, I've got a knuckle-dragging bumpkin on the other line. I'll ask his advice, then get back to you." Okay, that's not really how the conversation went. What he did say was: Stay away from the animal. Do not antagonize or provoke it. Bring your children and pets inside. Pretty sound advice, I'd say. But, go ahead and try it your way - see if you don't get the same result as Jesse. Be smart, though, and get your rabies shot beforehand. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a poker game to attend.

cq2627
September 25, 2009 7:07 p.m.

I like the part about calling animal control as the neighborhood I live in also has a fox the roams wherever it wishes ,and I called AC about this and they could care less, just don't let your pet get loose as they will pick them up and hold them hostage faster than you know whats going on.

So just to summarize this, Animal control is a joke as far as wild creatures are concerned.

tommy69
September 25, 2009 5:57 p.m.

LEAVE WILD ANIMALS ALONE. PERIOD!!

Professor
September 25, 2009 5:16 p.m.

Longshanks, I totally agree with you. I wouldn't have turned my back on a hissing fox, most likely rabid. The following is a piece of the article written about the rabid fox attacking a jogger in Arizona last year:

Although it did not initially appear aggressive, the animal attacked her feet as she backed away, before moving up towards her knee.

No rock throwing for this woman, all she did was back away and the fox still attacked.

jkca
September 25, 2009 3:10 p.m.

"Throwing a rock at a wild animal, sick or otherwise, is most definitely the wrong thing to do - evidently." cq2627

So, when confronted with a fox that's acting strange and may be infected with rabies, with no other protection, what would you do? Try to talk it out of biting you? I'm sure that would work. And what if he hissed at you and walked towards you? Would you try to get him to leave you alone? What would YOU use, your man purse?