‘Mad’ rabid fox hides under car, attacks woman in Weston

WESTON, Florida – Annie Mathew said on Tuesday that she was undergoing treatment to prevent a rabies infection. She fears she was exposed to the deadly virus through the saliva of an infected fox earlier this month in western Broward County.

Mathew said she parked her car outside her home in the community of Windmill Lake Estates in Weston when she saw the shadow of the four-legged animal. He quickly hid under his car. She was with her daughters, so she told them to stay inside.

As soon as she got out to investigate, the fox stuck her head out from under the car and bit her ankle. She felt the sharp teeth pierce her skin. There was a rush of adrenaline and she started fighting the fox with everything she had.

“Thank goodness I didn’t lower my head. He grabbed my foot – wouldn’t let go, ”said Mathew, adding that she had started screaming and hitting the fox with her purse and phone. “I run like I’m trying to get rid of it.”

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The attack triggered an active rabies alert in his neighborhood. Mathew feared for his life. Once a rabies infection is established, there is no effective treatment. The virus travels through the body to the brain and infects the central nervous system.

Symptoms of the disease can appear weeks or months after a bite from a rabid animal. These include weakness, fever, headache, insomnia, muscle spasms, paralysis, hallucinations, and mental confusion. Symptoms in humans and animals are similar.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officer who responded to help after the Weston attack observed the fox before setting it up. She said he quickly noticed he was behaving strangely.

“He was attacking and behaving like he was sick to the head,” said Mathew. “These are the words he used, like a ‘demented’ animal.”

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Officers caught the fox and he tested positive for rabies. But before the test results were released on Friday, Mathew, a seasoned registered nurse, knew she had to rush to the hospital to start receiving a series of gunshots to keep the infection from taking hold.

“Someone else was in the ER with the same thing,” said Mathew, adding the little bite was a really big deal. “If I thought it was just a bite and put a bandage on it, it would have caused me to contract the virus.”

Mathew said she shared her story because she wanted to raise awareness in her community, so residents understand the risk since any mammal can contract rabies. The most affected, other than foxes, are raccoons, skunks and bats. Pets can contract rabies from wild animals.

Mathew said that when it comes to rabies, time is running out because the disease is preventable with prompt and proper medical attention. For more information on the rabies alert, call FDOH-Broward at 954-467-4700.

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Rabies prevention

• Leave all the wildlife alone. If you find an injured animal, contact local authorities for assistance.

• If you are bitten or scratched, seek medical attention immediately.

• Severe exposures make it more difficult to prevent rabies unless access to good medical care is immediately available.

• Protect your pet by keeping their rabies vaccinations up to date.

• Call animal control to eliminate all stray animals.

Source: United States Centers for Control Disease and Prevention

Prevent conflicts related to wildlife

• Clean up possible food sources such as pet food and fallen fruit.

• Secure all livestock in enclosures that are resistant to predators.

• Do not leave small pets outdoors or in wire enclosures unattended.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Afternoon report