BATH — A Bath resident’s encounter with an aggressive fox on June 28 has led to a positive rabies confirmation from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The incident occurred when a male resident on Western Ave. was confronted by a fox that attempted to bite him on the boots.
The man successfully defended himself from the attack and promptly reported the incident to the Bath Police Department.
Responding officers were able to locate and dispatch the animal, which was then sent to the Health and Environmental Testing Lab for rabies testing.
The City of Bath was informed this morning, July 3, that the fox had indeed tested positive for the virus.
This case is the first confirmed instance of rabies in Bath since a grey fox tested positive on Jan. 6, 2020.
Previous encounters in 2019 also saw several cases involving aggressive foxes.
In light of this recent confirmation, Bath residents are urged to exercise caution around wildlife and to report any animals exhibiting odd or sick behavior.
Additionally, pet owners are reminded to keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.
Chief Andrew Booth, acting as the media contact for the Bath Police Department, emphasized the importance of public awareness and safety precautions in preventing further incidents.
