A second-grade boy and two school staff members are in the hospital after a fox bit them outside Broad Brook Elementary School in East Windsor, Connecticut, on Monday, and police said a fourth person was also bitten at her home about a mile away.
According to police, the fox attacked a second-grade student, identified by his mother as Evan Witzke, around 11:30 a.m. Monday after emerging from the woods on the northern side of the school.
A gym teacher pulled the fox off the student and was bitten in the process, according to the boy's mother. The school psychologist was also attacked, according to police.
Police said school staff members were able to trap the fox under a plastic recyclable container with the help of the student. Both teachers are being hailed as heroes for holding the fox down so other students could get away.
The second-grade student is being treated at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and is doing well, according to his mother.
Police believe the same fox also bit a woman and her dog earlier this morning on Mill Street/Route 191, less than a mile from the school. The fox was her porch around 10 a.m. and the victim, who is in her 30s, was attacked when she opened the door.
All three adults were treated at Hartford Hospital and are in good condition, authorities said.
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East Windsor police and Animal Control responded to both scenes. While they didn't find a fox after the first incident, police believe that the same fox was involved in both biting incidents.
The fox was taken to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory to be tested for rabies.
East Windsor police caution residents against approach animals "acting strange or appearing sick" and advise people to instead call the police department at 860-292-8240 to report observations about such wild animal sightings. Callers can press "0" to speak to a dispatcher.
