This morning, shortly after 7:00 a.m., a Colin Kelly Street resident reported that a fox attacked their dog while it was in their rear yard. After sharing this information on social media, another resident of Behnert Place contacted the Cranford Police Department to report a similar event involving a fox occurring last weekend (April 6, 2024).
“A week ago Saturday, I let the dog out at 11:00 p.m. as I have done for 9 years with no problem,” said Jodi Wilhelm, the resident of Behnert Place who reported the similar event. “I heard her screaming and I ran outside. The fox had her by the neck, let her go, and ran. We had to take her to an emergency vet, and she needed stitches in her neck.”
The resident who reported the attack this morning to police, shared on social media that her dog did not survive.
Foxes typically don't attack people or dogs, as their natural tendency is to flee rather than to fight. According to the Humane Society of the United States , a rabid fox might act aggressively unprovoked. While extremely rare, these attacks do happen. In October, NJ.com reported that a fox likely suffering from rabies attacked two dogs in Summit.
Another local concern is coyotes, which can look similar to foxes. Last July in Westfield, Brightwood Park was closed due to a coyote acting aggressively. Weeks before in nearby South Mountain Reservation, an 18-year-old girl was walking her Maltese Shih Tzu with her younger cousin, when “a coyote attacked my cousin who was holding the dog and snatched the puppy from her,” the owner told TAPinto West Orange .“[My dog] lost an eye and needs stitching on some wounds.”
If you encounter a fox or coyote, make loud noises and wave your arms to scare them away. Contact the Cranford Police if you notice either acting aggressively.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Most Popular
Comments / 0