Unsplash: capturesbyeA squirrel in San Rafael, California, has attacked multiple residents, leaving two people in the emergency room.
Officials say at least five incidents have been reported in the Lucas Valley area, all believed to involve the same gold-brown squirrel. Local wildlife experts note that the animal’s behavior is unusual but not linked to rabies.
One victim, Joan Heblack, said she was taking her morning walk when the squirrel “came out of nowhere,” clawing her leg hard enough to draw blood.
“It clamped onto my leg. The tail was flying up here. I was like, ‘Get it off me, get off me!’ I didn’t want to touch it,” she said.
Another, Isabel Campoy, said the animal leapt at her face and only let go after biting her arm. Campoy recalled being “full of blood” after the attack.
“Squirrel went from the floor tried to jump up to my face, I tried to protect my face, my arm was completely overcome by squirrel,” said Isabel. “Finally, it jumped off, and by then I was full of blood. I ran to the emergency room.”
Officials warn against feeding wildlife
WildCare, a local wildlife organization, has urged residents not to feed squirrels or other wild animals, warning that doing so can reduce their natural fear of humans and lead to dangerous encounters.
“If they associate people with food, they’re not afraid of them. They will look for food. If they don’t get it, there can be frustrations. They can be territorial of their space,” said WildCare spokesperson Vanessa Potter.
Back in August, virus-infected ‘mutant’ deer left the internet terrified just days after zombie rabbits and squirrels went viral online.
