Fox Bites North Jersey Resident, Police Say

MONTVALE, NJ — After dealing with coyote attacks for two months, residents of North Jersey now have to be on the lookout for foxes.

UPDATE: 'I Heard My Mom Scream,' Says Daughter Of Fox Bite Victim. Read more here.

Police in Montvale said on Tuesday night that a resident had reported being bitten.

"Montvale PD took a report of a fox bite on a resident earlier today," said police. "Be aware of foxes and keep your distance. The fox was seen in the northeastern corner of the town but it may travel."

Montvale is located at the northern end of the Garden State Parkway, just south of the New York state line and east of Mahwah.

"Remain vigilant and keep an eye on your children and pets," police warned.

Bergen County residents had already been on alert because of five reported coyote attacks. In two cases, police captured coyotes with rabies, a fatal virus.

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

Five Coyote Attacks

In October, a coyote killed a woman's small dog, an 11-year-old shih tzu named Happy, in their Ho-Ho-Kus yard. That same week, two coyote attacks were reported in the nearby towns of Saddle River and Woodcliff Lake.

During the last week in September, coyotes attacked two Saddle River residents walking their dogs. Two coyotes were captured in the days after those attacks, one of which was rabid. READ MORE: Coyote Tests Positive For Rabies After Attacking 2 In Bergen County: Officials

What Does The State Say?

According to the state of New Jersey, there are two species of foxes found in New Jersey: 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