Thirteen-month-old Lily Bottoms was in the yard playing when the fox attacked her Saturday afternoon. Her father, Chris Bottoms, picked her up — that’s when the fox let go of her lower right leg leaving two puncture wounds. He also sustained scratches on his lower right leg from the fox.
Shortly after the attack of the girl, the fox attacked a neighbor, Jane Sisk. The fox bit her on the right lower ankle leaving two puncture wounds.
Surry County Animal Control officers were called to the scene at 1:29 p.m. Saturday. They combed the area, but could not locate the fox. Several traps were set for the animal.
According to Thomas Williams, media specialist for the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center, one of the traps had been tripped, but the fox was not inside.
“We really don’t want folks to panic. Just be aware of your surroundings. Any time an animal has rabies, it is certain death. The only way we will know for sure if the fox does have rabies is to capture it and send the head to Raleigh for testing,” said Williams.
He said any time a nocturnal animal such as a fox is seen out during the day, chances are good that it has rabies.
This is the first case of rabies reported in Surry County this year. Last year, 13 cases were reported.
Chris Bottoms, his daughter and Sisk have begun the treatment for rabies, Williams said.
Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.
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