The fox captured on Capitol Hill on Tuesday after several reports of animal attacks on humans was euthanized and tested positive for rabies, the Humane Rescue Alliance announced Wednesday.
Officials said the vixen’s litter was found on Wednesday morning, although it’s unclear whether the kits will also be euthanized and tested. Officials said they are still determining the next steps.
“No other foxes were found on the Capitol Hill grounds, but it would not be uncommon to see more, as there are many present throughout the district,” the Health Department told the Washington Examiner. “If you encounter an aggressive, sick, or injured fox, please contact Animal Control.”
FOX CAPTURED ON CAPITOL GROUNDS AFTER BITING SPREE
Health officials said they do not plan on rounding up all healthy foxes in the vicinity for rabies testing and will only act if more attacks are reported. However, officials said they were in the process of notifying all those who had been bitten to get treated for rabies.
Capitol Police said the fox was captured Tuesday afternoon after several reports of a vixen biting people as they were walking around the grounds, including Rep. Ami Bera. The California Democrat said he wasn’t sure if the fox pierced through his clothing to bite him because there were no traces of blood, but he went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday night to begin a five-course rabies regimen out of an abundance of caution.
Officials said they also received reports of attacks at the Botanic Garden and another on the House side of the Capitol.
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Reports of rabies are not entirely common in Washington, D.C., with only 186 people getting tested for the disease in 2020. Of those who tested, just 8% tested positive, according to city data.
It’s not entirely clear what the plan is for the kits, although it is likely they were exposed because of the vixen’s diagnosis. Officials have not disclosed where they are holding the animals or whether they will euthanize the kits to test for rabies.
