LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – Shoppers in Lebanon remain on alert days after police say three people came into contact with what appears to be an aggressive gray fox or fisher cat.
Surveillance footage from one of those businesses captured the initial attack Sunday. Two more encounters with what police say was likely the same animal took place over the next 24 hours.
“It wasn’t very big, doesn’t really look like a fox to me,” said Pete Bratko of Claremont, who was shopping with his wife at the co-op. “She told me to park closer to the store. We usually park in the back. ‘Watch out for the animal!’”
Lebanon Police used their drone to search for the animal by air, but had no luck finding it.
“Would I like to encounter it? No,” said Mitchell Ross of Lebanon, who used to own a farm and has come into contact with a rabid animal in the past. “They are not to be taken lightly. They can be trouble.”
Police say everyone in the area should be aware of their surroundings. Anyone scratched or bitten, like the three victims, is encouraged to seek immediate medical attention.
“Figured it’s got to be rabid. Why else would it attack you? They all pretty, ah, stay to themselves,” Bratko said.
Wildlife experts say if the animal is in fact rabid, it would likely succumb to the disease in a couple of days.
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