Fox Spotted In Hoboken Yard 1 Week After North Jersey Attack

HOBOKEN, NJ — One week after a woman was attacked by a fox in North Jersey, a Hoboken resident posted photos on social media of a fox in her yard uptown, showing that the animals are coming out of hiding this time of year.

Experts in North Jersey said residents shouldn't be alarmed if they see a fox or coyote nearby — but should be careful if the animal behaves strangely.

In the last two months, five people in Bergen County reported that they or their dogs were attacked by coyotes. Law enforcement officials found two coyotes after the attacks that tested positive for rabies. The disease, when transferred to a human or pet, is fatal if not treated right away. READ MORE: Coyote Kills Family Dog: Police

A woman in Montvale, in Bergen County, was bitten by a fox on Dec. 2, her daughter told news outlets. The 61-year-old woman was treated at the hospital and got a series of rabies shots.

The Hoboken woman who spotted a fox uptown on Tuesday was not alarmed, but shared photos out of interest. The animal was spotted shortly after 10:30 a.m., she said.

Experts say that the creatures are hoarding food for cold weather.

"A fox hunting at noon isn’t sick!" posted Bergen County Animal Control on social media last month. "They require extra prey for the cold weather. If a fox appears sick or 'mangy' and is still mobile meaning it can flee when approached Animal Control can not intervene. If the animal can’t flee definitely contact Animal Control...Whenever possible sick or injured animals will be transferred to an authorized rehabilitation facility."

Aggressive Animals

If a fox or coyote seems aggressive, it may be rabid.

Police in Montvale said last week that they responded around 4:30 on Dec. 2 to Bryan Drive, where a 61-year-old woman said she had been bitten by a small animal "with red and brown fur and had a furry tail." The woman had a wound on her right leg by her calf area, police said. READ MORE: Fox Bites North Jersey Resident, Police Say

The victim's daughter told CBS News that she fended off the animal with a shovel. Gianna Cortazzo said, "I heard my mom scream, and I looked and I saw a fox had attached to her leg."

Animal rescuer Nancy Warner told CBS that a fox would only come up and bite someone if it had rabies.

Montvale police said that people should "Be aware of foxes and keep your distance. The fox was seen in the northeastern corner of the town but it may travel."

On Nov. 24, police in Greenwich Township, in Warren County, posted on social media that residents should beware of a "dangerous" fox that "attacked a pet and walked into a resident’s garage. The fox was reported limping and injured."

Coyote Kills Dog

Bergen County residents had already been on alert because of five reported coyote attacks on people and dogs in fall. READ MORE: Coyote Tests Positive For Rabies After Attacking 2 In Bergen County: Officials

The attacks occurred in Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Woodcliff Lake. In the Ho-Ho-Kus attack, an 11-year-old shih tzu dog named Happy was killed. READ MORE: Coyote Kills Family Dog: Police

People who are scratched or bitten by an aggressive animal should seek treatment immediately, as rabies is almost always fatal.

Red And Gray Foxes

According to the state of New Jersey, there are two species of foxes found in New Jersey: the red and gray fox. Foxes tend to attack small livestock and cats, but rarely humans, the state says.

"They frequently inhabit yards, parks, and golf courses, especially areas that adjoin suitable, undeveloped habitat," the state says. "Healthy foxes pose virtually no danger to humans. Foxes can grow accustomed to human activity but are seldom aggressive toward people."

If they do attack people, it's a sign something may be wrong. Those who see a sick or aggressive fox, or even one acting "unusually friendly," should contact local police, or state officials.

"Foxes can carry the organisms responsible for several contagious diseases such as mange, distemper and rabies," the state says. "Animals that appear sick or that are acting abnormally should be avoided ... Local animal control officers, police, or Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Control Unit or the DEP Hotline (877-WARN-DEP). should be contacted if assistance is needed with a diseased animal." More information is here.

READ MORE: New Coyote Advisory Issued In Bergen County

What About Hoboken?

Two years ago, residents of Hoboken posted a flurry of photos online of wildlife seen around the mile-square city, including a coyote on 10th Street and either a coyote or fox near Observer Highway. READ MORE: Fox Or Coyote? Hoboken Residents Argue Over Newly Seen Wildlife

Some residents reported the sightings to police, but there were no reported injuries.

Patch reached out to Hoboken's public safety spokesperson Wednesday morning to find out if anyone had reported problems with a fox or other wildlife this week. This story will be updated if information is received.

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