A pint-sized predator is turning a quiet New Hampshire shopping area into a horror show.
Lebanon cops say a small, aggressive grey animal, likely a gray fox or a fisher cat, has attacked at least three people near Centerra Park since Sunday, leaving one victim in the hospital and the rest of the town looking over their shoulders.
Surveillance video making the rounds shows the creature darting out from under a U-Haul truck in a parking lot, locking onto a man’s legs and refusing to let go as he kicks and stomps to shake it off. The animal then scampers back under the truck like it owns the place.“It’s concerning because of the animal attacking people. That’s usually indicative of something being wrong with the animal, most likely rabies,” Police Chief Phillip Roberts said.
The first attack hit Sunday. Two more followed in the same stretch of woods and parking lots, including near a Marriott. Witnesses describe the same unhinged behavior: the animal comes out of the trees and goes straight for people.
Cops still haven’t laid eyes on it themselves. They’re working with New Hampshire Fish and Game, flying drones over the tree line, and warning anyone who sees the thing to stay far away.“We were told by the Fish and Game Department that trapping a rabid animal is very difficult because they are not food-driven,” Roberts said.
“And they don’t act rational like a normal animal.”Locals aren’t taking chances. Shoppers are parking closer to stores. One visitor who used to farm said he’s seen rabid animals before and wants nothing to do with this one.
Police say if you get bitten or scratched, wash it immediately and get to a doctor. Don’t try to catch it. Don’t feed it. And if it comes at you, get inside and call 911.
The beast is still out there. For now, Lebanon’s just waiting to see if it surfaces, or if it’s already dead in the woods.
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