Wildlife experts are sounding off after Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi posted a warning Friday afternoon about an “uptick” in potentially rabid fox sightings in the village. Wildlife experts say a stock photo of a fox shown in the post does not have rabies and is misleading. Mayor Rossi also told CBS6 an officer was forced to open fire Friday when a suspected rabid fox charged him, killing the animal.

Mayor Rossi’s full post reads:

We have seen an uptick in potentially rabid foxes in our Village lately. Our Ballston Spa Police Department has asked me to help ensure everyone’s safety if you encounter a fox, especially during daylight hours.

First and foremost, assume a fox out in daylight is potentially rabid, and avoid it completely. Call 9-1-1 and ask for the Ballston Spa Police Department to be dispatched to handle the situation. Denote exactly what address/addresses you are at and where the fox was seen.

Again, please avoid any contact with foxes, and keep your children and pets away from them if you see them. Thank you.

CBS6 reached Mayor Rossi by phone Friday, who said he was out of town and declined an on-camera interview. Mayor Rossi says police received 4 calls Friday about a suspected rabid fox roaming a neighborhood. He did not say exactly where. Mayor Rossi said when officers spotted the fox, it charged at them, forcing an officer to open fire and kill the animal. The mayor says nobody was hurt, and no one came in contact with the animal.

CBS6 spoke with Victoria Rasanen, a wildlife rehabilitator and a member of North Country Wild Care who specializes in rabies vector species. Rasanen and her husband also run “Critter’s Caretaker” out of their home in Buskirk.

“The photo is misleading in the manner that general public will look at that and think that that is representing rabies and it’s not it’s representing a case of mange, which is treatable,” Rasanen told CBS6. “That’s just a parasite rabies is a virus. And that is not treatable. That is very serious.”

Rasanen also says Mayor Rossi’s advice to assume any fox out in daylight is potentially rabid is inaccurate. What should have been said is that just because you see an animal, a wildlife out in daylight does not mean it is sick,” Rasanen added.

“With all of our growth in homes and developments, we are increasingly encroaching on their space. So, you will be seeing them more often in places where you haven’t seen them before. It’s very common for fox to be in cities and urban areas, even in foreign countries. The UK has a tremendous population of fox in cities. They are rodent control. So, wherever you have mice and rats, that’s their food source. So that’s where you’re going to find them.”

Rasanen foxes also come out during the daytime to seek warmth, especially if they have mange.

“Mange causes them to lose the ability to keep warm. They itch and they scratch, and they lose their hair. And with hair loss, it’s not easy to stay warm. Now that we’re entering fall, the nights are starting to get cooler. So, they would most likely be out seeking warmth during the day.”

“So, seeing a fox with mange out in your front yard or on your paved driveway would be highly possible. They’re looking for warmth and eventually it will kill them if they’re not treated.”

Rasanen says the tell-tale signs of a rabid animal are foaming at the mouth, acting out in seizures and paralysis in the hind legs. She notes even animals who appear friendly can have rabies. She says if you see one, move away to safety immediately.

CBS6 also reached out to the New York State Department of Conservation to ask if they have been receiving reports of rabid animals in the Ballston Spa area. We were told they need time to review regional data, but added:

“Based on initial review, it does not look like the statewide reports of rabid foxes this year are above the annual average received by DEC.”

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, confirmed rabid animal cases nationwide rose by 5.1% from the previous year.