A fox shot and killed this week after attacking a pair of men in Monmouth has tested positive for rabies, officials said.
Game Warden Steve Allarie said the gray fox, which a resident shot Monday night after two men were attacked by a fox earlier in the day, tested positive for the virus Wednesday.
Allarie said the positive result, which he anticipated, is strong evidence that the dead fox is the same one responsible for the attacks.
“I think we can close this one out,” Allarie said.
Police said a fox was shot by a resident about 7 p.m. at 10 Berry Road, near a home at 11 Berry Road, where a man had been attacked that morning. A second man, at nearby 814 Main St., was attacked a short time later. Reports of the attacks prompted Maine game wardens and police to launch an intensive search for the animal.
The fox shot Monday night reportedly was attacking the homeowner’s free-range chickens. Paradis said police contacted the Maine Warden Service to have a warden try to confirm it was the same gray fox involved in the previous incidents.
Allarie said Wednesday that there had been no reports of a fox sighting since the animal was killed, which also is a good sign.
Allarie urged residents in the area to continue to be vigilant and report any strange animal behavior.
Craig Crosby — 621-5642
Twitter: @CraigCrosby4
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