Rabid fox attacks Bath man

A rabid fox that tried to bite a Bath man on Friday night has tested positive for rabies. The fox was tested for rabies after acting aggressively and reportedly trying to bite at the boots of the man, according to a press release from the city. The man, who lives on Western Avenue, kicked the animal away. He then called police, who shot and killed the fox. On Wednesday, the test results confirmed the fox was rabid. The man was not injured, said Bath Police Chief Andrew Booth. It’s not the first time Bath has dealt with this. The city experienced a spike in rabid animal attacks in 2019. That year, 16 animals tested positive for the disease. There were 18 fox attacks on people and pets, with 11 of them resulting in a bite or scratch. But before the recent fox attack, there hadn’t been another confirmed case of a rabid animal in Bath since January 2020, when a gray fox tested positive. The city of Bath advised residents to be cautious around wildlife and to report any suspicious or sick-looking animals. It also advised owners to ensure their pets have updated rabies vaccines.