Beaver chases kids, found to be rabid

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Va. (AP) — Fairfax County Police say a beaver that was later found to be rabid chased some children at a nature center in West Springfield.

Officers say about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the children had just finished a swimming competition at the Hidden Pond Nature Center when they saw a beaver swimming toward the dock.

Police say the beaver leaped out of the water onto the dock, acting agressively and chasing the children. An animal control officer went to the scene and shot the beaver. No one was hurt.

Animal control officers had the beaver tested for rabids; the results were positive.

Last week, an 83-year-old woman was attacked by a rabid beaver in Lake Barcroft.