A man from the canton of Geneva attacked by a fox in front of his house

A man from the canton of Geneva was attacked by a fox while he was working behind his shed at his home in Slocomb on Wednesday, officials said.

The victim, David Snell, told WSFA News 12 that he was working behind his shed when the fox ran to his knees, knocking him to the ground.

Snell fell again while he was trying to flee the fox, he said. That's when the fox bit his forearm.

Her neighbor, Jerry Bedsole, saw Snell and ran to help. Bedsole saw Snell holding the fox by the neck and trying to catch the fox. However, his efforts failed.

"I hate to even think of what might have happened if I had not been there, I was not slapping my back, but David was completely exhausted from fighting the fox," Bedsole said to WSFA. killed the fox when he returned to the area later on Wednesday, he said.

Slocomb police took the fox to a local veterinarian for rabies testing, officials said in a statement.

"Please report any unusual domestic or wild animals to [Slocomb Police Department] as it is possible for the fox to carry the rabies virus, approach any domestic or wild animal that can act strangely" said the police.

Snell has already started rabies treatment as a precaution.

Slocomb police responded to the reported attack, but could not find the fox.