Where can you meet a fox
An encounter with a wild animal can occur both in the forest and in the vicinity of the city.
If a fox lives near popular tourist trails and parking areas and often receives gifts from people, it may go out to vacationers in the hope of a treat.
Wild animals appear in the city both in search of food and to look for a place to breed their offspring. For example, at the beginning of 2023, the fox family got settled under the veranda in a kindergarten in the southwest of Moscow.
Also, rabid animals may come into the city. They lose their sense of self-preservation and can appear in crowded places without fear, attack pets and approach people.
What to do if you meet a fox
First of all, don’t panic. Most foxes are harmless to humans and will not attack without good reason.
If the animal does not show signs of aggression and stays away, do the following:
- Don’t get close to the fox. Rabid foxes can behave calmly, but if you try to approach, they will attack.
- Do not make sudden movements, shout or frighten the animal, otherwise it may feel threatened and attack.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Calmly move away, backing away from the fox.
- If you encounter an animal in the city, report it to the administration or call 112.
Do not try to feed or pet the animal. Even if this does not end in anything bad for you personally, a positive experience will make the fox continue to be drawn to people, and this can be dangerous.
If an animal runs straight at you without fear, it may be infected with rabies. Try to find shelter, such as in a car or even in a tree.
If this is not possible, try to keep the predator at a distance. For example, pick up a stick or take off your backpack. In the event of an attack, the beast will grab onto the improvised shield, and not into your arm or leg.
What to do if a fox bites you
If the fox does bite you, accept Steps to avoid getting rabies:
- Treat the wound. Wash the bite area with soap and water for 15 minutes. Then treat the edges with 5% tincture of iodine.
- Contact a medical facility to get vaccinated. Modern course for emergency prevention of rabies consists of of six doses of the vaccine, which are administered intramuscularly – into the shoulder.
- Don’t delay in seeing a doctor. Rabies vaccine effective in 96–98% of cases, but only if treatment is started no later than the 14th day from the moment of the bite.
If a fox bites your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. Rabies can not only kill a pet, but also make it dangerous to others during the period of illness.
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