A potentially rabid fox has been spotted in western parts of Arlington County and remains on the loose.
Animal control personnel “responded to several reports of a fox approaching or contacting dogs and people” on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said.
The incidents happened Highland Park-Overlee Knolls and Leeway-Overlee neighborhoods.
“The fox attacked a woman gardening in her front yard in Leeway-Overlee on Tuesday night, biting her foot,” a tipster tells ARLnow. “The woman was rattled but not injured”
“Animal Control has been working to locate the fox, but it remains at large,” AWLA said.
🚨 Public Safety Alert 🚨
A potentially rabid fox is at large in Arlington. One fox has already tested positive for rabies in the Highland Park – Overlee Knolls neighborhood. If you come into contact with a fox in this area, please call Animal Control at 703-931-9241 immediately. pic.twitter.com/pUEHrZi0rL— Arlington County (@ArlingtonVA) May 8, 2025
On April 25th, an injured fox captured in Highland Park-Overlee Knolls tested positive for the rabies virus.
People are encouraged to call Arlington County animal control at 703-931-9241 if they, their child or their pet comes into contact with a fox in either of the above neighborhoods or in East Falls Church.
AWLA offers the following additional safety advice.
- Adults should accompany children walking to and from school and when playing outdoors.
- Ensure pets are up to date on their rabies and distemper vaccines.
- Keep dogs on leash and under control.
- Do not put dogs in fenced in backyards unsupervised. Please check the yard for wildlife before letting your pet outside.
- Keep cats indoors.
- Do not approach or feed wild animals.
- Feed pets inside.
- Remove wildlife attractants from yards, such as unsecured garbage cans, open containers of food (including animal food), heavy yard debris, and compost.
Arlington County Animal Control is urging residents to remain vigilant. If you see any animal that appears sick, lethargic, disoriented, or aggressive, stay away from the animal and call Animal Control immediately. If you come across a deceased rabies vector animal (including cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, bats, and groundhogs) in your yard or a public space, do not handle the animal and contact Animal Control promptly at 703-931-9241.
