Rabid Fox Found Lying in Fairfax City Driveway

Police reminded residents to vaccinate their pets and be wary of strange animals after a rabid fox was found lying in a Fairfax City driveway this week.

Animal control retrieved the fox from the Chain Bridge Road and Whitehead Street area on Sept. 25 after a homeowner watched it lying in his driveway, suffering, for many hours, said Sgt. Joe Johnson of the City of Fairfax Police Department.

The fox was euthanized. Fairfax County Health Department test results came back positive for rabies.

Rabies is a deadly virus that is transferred through the central nervous system tissue or saliva of an infected animal.

Officers ask residents to make sure dogs and cats are up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations.

Even if your pet is an “indoor” cat or dog, the threat of exposure to the rabies virus is real. Rabies is carried by wild animals that live in Fairfax County, including raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats and others. For more information, including a brochure “Wildlife, Your Pets and the Law," click here.

Never approach a stray animal, cat or dog or other wildlife.

Rabid animals can exhibit the following symptoms:

• Snarling
• The animal biting itself
• Growling
• Hissing
• Approaching people

If you see an animal acting in such a manner, call the police department at (703) 385-7924.