PURGATORY CREEK NATURAL AREA
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.
She noted that they are usually aware of their surroundings, and the fox caught them by surprise, seeming to come out of nowhere. She fought back the fox with her water bottle, and her son picked up the animal and threw it down the rocky hill of the dam. They ran up the dam, and as soon as the fox spotted them again, it started to chase after them.
“At that point I tried throwing a rock, tried to get him away, yelling as loud as I can, making myself as big as I can; [and the fox was] still coming at me,” Riley said.
After a struggle, he managed to injure the animal and toss it away again.
“When I talked to the police, they said that they did not find [the fox] but that they did find a blood trail,” Renita said. As they made their way off the trail, the mother and son called the police. As they made their way to the parking lot, they were checked out by EMS and told to go home. After cleaning up and noticing scratch marks, they drove to the hospital and received rabies shots. At the hospital, they were told nine other people were being treated due to the fox attack but a press release issued by the city of San Marcos stated that four people were attacked with two bitten.
“Foxes rarely attack humans, and the unusual behavior raises concerns that the animal may be sick, potentially with the rabies virus,” Animal Service Manager Christie Banduch said. “It’s important that any individuals who may have been exposed seek medical attention as soon as possible.”
The press release stated that rabies is a deadly virus that can infect mammals, including humans, wildlife and pets.
“Rabies is spread through an animal’s saliva and is fatal if not treated before symptoms occur. It is important that anyone that comes in physical contact or is bitten by a rabid animal seek post-exposure treatment promptly to prevent contracting the virus,” according to the press release. “Post-exposure treatment for rabies that is provided soon after a bite or exposure is effective at preventing the virus from spreading. Post exposure treatment consists of a series of injections to build immunity to the rabies virus.”
The city encourages pet owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies to prevent the spread of the rabies virus, offering information on low-cost vaccinations for pets at sanmarcostx.gov/1559/ Pet-Help.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area remains open to the public, but the city advises members of the community to avoid the area of attacks near the Beatrice, Dante and Ripheus trails until further notice. Anyone who sees or comes into contact with the animal should contact Animal Services at 512-8052655 and seek medical attention immediately.
