Authorities search for fox that bit 8-year-old girl in Livingston – NorthJersey.com

An 8-year-old girl and her friend were playing in her backyard when a fox emerged from behind a shed and bit the child multiple times. But fortunately a neighboring teenager came to her rescue and scared off the animal after the girl yelled for help, Livingston police said.

Police were called to the Deal Lane home at 4:43 p.m. on Wednesday where they found the young victim with 19 wounds, shaking and crying from the ordeal, Police Chief Gary Marshuetz said.

Local authorities are currently working to locate the fox so that it may be tested for infections such as rabies.

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Marshuetz said police visited the girl Thursday and she was “in high spirits,” as her mother threw an ice cream party for the neighborhood.

Fox attacks are rare, the chief added, but advised residents to walk with a stick or flashlight and avoid holes in forested land near water, which may be dens.

Nicholas Katzban is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: katzban@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @nicholaskatzban