Holly Springs fox suspected of being rabid

HOLLY SPRINGS — Animal control officers today trapped a sickly fox suspected of scratching a homeowner in Sunset Lake Village. Now they're awaiting the results of rabies tests.

"It may not turn out to be rabies, but rabies is suspected," said Holly Springs spokesman Mark Andrews.

Test results on the fox, which has been euthanized, are expected by Friday, according to town officials. In the meantime, the homeowner who was scratched Tuesday morning has taken the precaution of beginning treatment for rabies prevention.

Andrews said the circumstances — a fox acting aggressively and then being "close to death" a few days later — is consistent with rabies.

Tuesday's incident was one of at least four close encounters between residents and foxes in the past couple of weeks.

The Sunset Lake Village homeowner was attacked Tuesday while gardening, according to Holly Springs officials.

"She heard something, looked up and saw the fox about five feet from her," Lt. Anthony Revels, who oversees animal control officers, said in a prepared statement.

The fox charged toward the homeowner and scratched her, but did not break the skin, Revels said in the release.

Last weekend, another homeowner in Sunset Lake Village reported being chased by what she believed was a cat. Animal control officers initially set out a cat trap but, after the incident Tuesday morning, concluded the animal probably was the fox and set out larger traps. Town Animal Control officers have state certification to trap wildlife in addition to domestic animals.

The fox caught today is suspected of being the same fox that scratched and chased the Sunset Lake Village homeowners.

Holly Springs police are asking people to report unusual fox sitings by calling (919) 557-9111.