A fox attacked and injured multiple hikers Sunday evening at the Purgatory Creek Natural Area near the Beatrice, Dante and Ripheus trails. As of Monday morning the fox has not been located and is still at large. Animal Protection Officers are searching for the animal with investigative help from the Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Division. If the fox is not found the case will be handled as presumed positive for rabies due to the nature of the incidents.
Renita Bock and her son Riley Bock were two of the hikers who were attacked by the fox. They visit Purgatory Creek often and had started their hike around 7:00 p.m., making their way down to the dam.
“We passed this little bush area, and all of a sudden, I hear this screaming; and this fox comes behind me and starts attacking me,” Renita said.
