Fox attacks man, cat and dog in Fort Hunt area

A fox terrorized a quiet suburban street in the Fort Hunt area last night, attacking a man, a cat and a dog before fleeing.

According to the Fairfax County Police, the fox bit the man shortly after 9 p.m. in the 2300 block of William and Mary Drive (see map). The fox also attacked and injured a cat under a nearby car, police said.

The man drove himself to the hospital to get treated for the bite, police said. The cat was not located, but police believe it survived. 

As police were investigating the first attacks, another man and his dog had a run-in with a fox a block away. The man managed to avoid getting bit — police said he lost a shoe kicking the fox away — but his dog was bit and is being quarantined in case the fox is rabid.

Officers searched the area for the fox last night and this morning, but did not find it. While it’s unknown if the fox was rabid, police say the behavior was typical for foxes that have rabies. 

Police are encouraging pet owners in that area to keep an eye on their animals. They also say that if bitten or scratched by a fox, they should wash the wound thoroughly and get medical attention immediately. 

Any animal bites should also be reported to the Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131, police said.