(Ithaca, N.Y., January 20, 2023) – Tompkins County Whole Health is alerting the community of a potentially rabid gray fox in the Fall Creek area. It has been reported that the gray fox attempted to bite a person at Ravenwoods Apartments on University Avenue (Ithaca) at approximately 1:40 PM today. The person was able to kick the fox away and it went into the woods at the top of the natural area between University Avenue and Linn Street.
Ithaca Police and Tompkins County Animal Control have been notified.
If the fox is sighted, avoid all contact and call 911.
If anyone was bitten by the fox or think they or their pet may have come in contact with the fox or any other wild animal, contact the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division at (607) 274-6688.
Tompkins County Whole Health reminds everyone to:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
- All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current! NYS law also requires that dogs be licensed in the municipalities in which they reside.
- Report the following incidents to Tompkins County Environmental Health at 274-6688:
- All animal bites or scratches.
- Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
- All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person.
Learn more about Environmental Health’s rabies prevention and control services at: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/rabies.
Tompkins County Whole Health is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsWholeHealth and on Twitter at @TCWholeHealth. Sign up to receive Health Department updates or other county announcements via email or text.
Media Contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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