What Is This Vicious Animal In Caught On Camera Attack?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x2ASarVcPU

A mysterious wild animal is putting residents in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on alert after attacking at least three people in the span of just a few days.

The animal, which remains unidentified, has been described by witnesses as either a gray fox or a fisher — and one of the frightening encounters was captured on surveillance video near a U-Haul truck.

Police say the animal has displayed unusually aggressive behavior toward people, raising concerns that it could be sick.

Attack Near a U-Haul Caught on Camera

Surveillance footage shows a small, gray animal emerging from a grassy area and approaching people in a parking lot near a U-Haul truck.

The animal appears to go after a man, grabbing an item he was carrying before repeatedly moving toward his feet and legs. The man attempts to defend himself and eventually kicks the animal away, sending it scrambling underneath the truck before it retreats toward a wooded area.

The video has given police and wildlife officials their best look yet at the animal, but authorities still have not been able to positively identify it.

Three Attacks Reported

The Lebanon Police Department said the first reported attack occurred Sunday, August 30, in the Centerra Park area. Two additional attacks involving what appears to be the same animal were reported afterward, with the latest occurring Monday evening.

Police say officers have not personally encountered the animal, so they cannot confirm whether it is a gray fox, a fisher or another species.

The animal has been described as being roughly the size of a house cat.

The incidents have occurred around Centerra Parkway, an area with businesses, parking lots and wooded or brush-covered sections where wildlife may be present.

Could Rabies Be Involved?

The animal's behavior has officials particularly concerned.

Lebanon Police Chief Phillip Roberts said aggressive attacks by a normally elusive wild animal can indicate that something is wrong, with rabies being one possibility under consideration. However, authorities have not confirmed that the animal has rabies.

Rabies can be transmitted through bites or scratches from an infected animal, as well as through infected saliva entering an open wound or coming into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth.

Because of that potential risk, police are urging anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal to immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention.

Police Warn Residents to Stay Away

The Lebanon Police Department is working with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to locate the animal and determine what may be causing its unusual behavior.

Authorities are asking residents, employees and visitors in the Centerra Park area to remain alert, particularly near wooded and brush-covered areas.

Police are also making one message very clear: Do not approach the animal.

Residents should not attempt to capture, feed or otherwise interact with it. Anyone who sees a wild animal acting aggressively, behaving unusually or approaching people should move to a safe location and contact police or wildlife officials.

For now, the mystery remains: Is the animal a gray fox, a fisher or something else entirely?

Until officials can locate and identify it, authorities are urging people in the area to keep their distance and treat any unusually aggressive wildlife as a potential danger.