Reason #62 Why I Carry a Gun

Because predators come in all shapes and sizes, and are not known for announcing their arrival or letting their intentions be known ahead of time.

4 attacked by rabid fox in Raymond

RAYMOND – Police and residents alike are on the alert after a rabid fox attacked and injured four people in a 24-hour period.

[...]

Local police and state Fish and Game officials said the diseased animal's attacks began on Sunday about 2:15 p.m., shortly after the sighting of a "mangy-looking fox" in the vicinity of Abbey Road. By Monday at 9 a.m., three more people had been attacked.

Mike Matson, the Fish and Game officer who shot the fox, said an animal with rabies will often appear unusually docile, even allowing itself to be approached and petted by humans. But the fox responsible for these attacks was very different, he said.

Looks like its fox season in my backyard.

In one incident, Matson said a woman leaving her Harriman Hill Road home at 6:30 a.m. Monday heard a growl behind her. She turned around and the fox leapt and latched onto her arm.

On Sunday, Matson said a man was able to drive away the charging fox by hurling a lawn chair at it.

Sgt. David Spinney said two Harriman Hill residents were injured Monday morning. On Sunday, a person on Governor's Drive and another on Abbey Road were attacked. Officials would not identify the injured residents, citing privacy reasons.

When seconds count, the police are only minutes away will be on the scene to kill the rabid coyote tomorrow morning.

The follow-up story:

After a rabid fox attacked and injured four people in Raymond early this week, Bedford school officials snapped into action when a fox was seen lying in the middle of Old Bedford Road Tuesday: Staffers were armed...

Yeah, but you know this isn't going where it should.

...with air horns.

But, of course.

So, how does "Operation Air Horn" work, you ask?

"Before students go out on the playground, they have an adult scout the area to make sure there is no fox in the vicinity of the school," Conrad said. "If there is a need to go back into the school, they would sound the air horn."

Because nothing placates wild, rabid animals quite like a schoolyard full of running, screaming kids.