Three attacks involving an animal that "displayed unusually aggressive behavior toward people," which can be associated with rabies, have been reported in New Hampshire, according to authorities. However, officials have yet to determine exactly what type of animal is ambushing the unsuspecting humans.
From Aug. 30-31, police received three reports of animal attacks in the same area of Lebanon, about 122 miles northwest of Boston, according to news releases from the Lebanon Police Department. The attacks seem to be unprovoked, and police believe the same animal is responsible.
Video shows the moment one person was attacked by the unknown animal. The wild animal is shown running from what appears to be a wooded area as the victim walks around a moving
truck. The animal then goes after the person's legs in an unprovoked attack. It attacks the victim multiple times. The victim is seen flinging the animal away from them after it attacks their legs again, and then the animal returns to the wooded area.
See video of the animal attack
Animal species still unknown
The animal responsible for the attacks has not been identified, but witnesses say they believe the animal is either a gray fox or a fisher, a nocturnal mammal in the weasel family, according to Defenders of Wildlife. It is an elusive animal that lives in forests throughout the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes states.
It "reportedly displayed unusually aggressive behavior toward people," police said. This behavior is associated with animals that have contracted rabies, which can be lethal in humans if they do not seek medical attention before symptoms appear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Police warning people to be cautious
All three of the attacks happened in the Centerra Parkway area in Lebanon, according to authorities.
Police ask that people remain vigilant and not approach, feed or try to catch the animal that could be responsible for the attacks. They also asked that people report any attacks, bites or scratches to the Lebanon Police Department.
Exposure to rabies can be fatal
Rabies is a virus that can spread from an infected animal to humans through bites or scratches, per the CDC. It can also be spread if saliva from an infected animal makes contact with an open wound or a person's eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
Because rabies can be lethal, the Lebanon Police Department urges anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal to seek medical care immediately.
Those who believe they may have been exposed to the virus should seek medical care, as it can lead to "severe brain disease and death" if care is not received before symptoms begin, according to the CDC. Treatment after exposure to rabies, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), consists of four to five rabies vaccine that must be administered as soon as possible.
The vaccines are nearly 100% effective at preventing the virus from developing.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video captures unknown animal that's been randomly attacking people
