Fox suspected in two Lake Harriet attacks tests positive for rabies

The fox suspected of attacking two people this week near Lake Harriet has tested positive for rabies, authorities said Friday.

The animal was captured and euthanized Wednesday morning shortly after sinking its teeth into the leg of a second victim, who was taking an early morning jog by the lake's south beach.

Minneapolis Animal Care and Control officers found the fox near the corner of Lake Harriet and West Minnehaha parkways, within a block of where the first person was bitten Tuesday afternoon. At the time of its capture, the aggressive fox showed symptoms of rabies but had to be tested at the University of Minnesota to confirm the infection.

Everyone who came in contact with the fox, described as a year-old female weighing under 10 pounds, received a series of vaccination shots for rabies.

Susan Obmoin, 51, of Eagan, was removing her bicycle from the rack on her vehicle around noon Tuesday when she suddenly felt something around her feet. Then the fox latched on for about eight seconds.

She had to pry it off her calf as she screamed for help. Bystanders ran to her aid and poured water on the bleeding wound before she drove herself to the hospital.

Residents told emergency responders that foxes are common in the area and that a woman in the neighborhood "may be feeding [and] allowing foxes to live under her deck," the incident report said.

Animal Control officials have been patrolling the area of the attack, and the department's staff intends to investigate possible illegal feeding of foxes.

Fewer than 12 hours after the first attack, Michael Steilen was taking his daily sunrise run around Lake Harriet when he stopped to stretch. As he put his hand on a wooden sign to sturdy himself, he felt a bite on his left leg, according to the incident report.

Steilen had to kick the fox to loosen its grip. When it started to charge at him again, he took off running until he lost sight of it.

Rabid mammals are rare in Minneapolis, and it's unusual for a fox to venture so close to a human, said Animal Control deputy director Caroline Hairfield.

Skunks and bats are the wild animals that most commonly carry rabies in the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Domestic animals are typically infected after being bitten by a rabid skunk. Officials recommend making sure your pets' vaccinations are up to date, and they discourage ever feeding wild animals.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648