Alert after rabid fox confirmed in Hoganville

HOGANVILLE, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A health alert out of Troup County after a rabid fox attacked a little girl and her mother on May 3.

The Hoganville Police Department said an aggressive fox approached the family as they were outside in the 100 block of Lincoln Street. Officers said the creature scratched the 10-year-old girl and bit the child’s mother on the leg as they tried to get away

The girl’s father was able to grab and choke the fox, put it on the ground, and eventually was able to retrieve a gun to put the fox down in the backyard, police said.

The Troup Animal Shelter sent the animal for testing in Auburn, Alabama. The Troup County Health Department said the fox did test positive for rabies.

Several agencies including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are currently monitoring wildlife in the area for any additional animals which exhibit odd behavior. Residents are asked to call the Hogansville Police Department if they see any animal acting strangely or aggressively.