Fox shot after biting Mass. woman on the buttocks

[August 12, 2009]  WHITMAN, Mass. (AP) -- Police said an animal control officer has shot and wounded a fox suspected of biting a woman on the buttocks and tearing into the sneaker of a teenager in southeastern Massachusetts.

Officer Robert Stokinger said the fox was shot and fled into the woods Monday. He said police officers who pursued the animal did not immediately find it.

A fox bit the woman as she was waxing her car on Franklin Street in Whitman shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday. She was given a series of precautionary rabies shots.

Several hours later, a fox also attacked a teenager on Winter Street, tearing into his sneaker but not piercing his foot.

Police said they suspect a single, sick fox is responsible for the daylight attacks since the animals are normally skittish around people.

[Associated Press]

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