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3 Treated After Fox Attack In Kennesaw

KENNESAW, Ga. — Police in Kennesaw said three people were taken to a hospital after they were attacked by a fox.

Kennesaw Police spokesman Officer Scott Luther said the attacks began late Sunday morning when the fox attacked two men on a walking trail.

"It took three good kicks, and one good uppercut" said Erick Bettistea as he described the attack to Channel 2's Ross Cavitt. Bettistea defended his sister on the trail after the initial attack. "The average person would have probably taken off running, but that being my sister, I wasn't going to let her get attacked", said Bettistea.

The fox then took off toward another victim at an apartment complex. A short time later, Steven Goard spotted the fox and herded his children into the house. He did not know the fox's violent past when he took a picture of the animal. A few minutes later, an officer shot and killed the fox as it was coming toward him.

Officer Luther said a total of three people were bitten and scratched and were taken to a hospital, where they were treated and released. Each will undergo a series of painful rabies shots. Animal control says it should have test results from the fox by the middle of next week.

Two weeks ago, a fox bit three men outside an auto body shop in Fayette County.

In that case, a Tyrone police officer shot the animal. "They hit it with the fire extinguishers and then it went crazy and bit one of the other workers," said Officer Todd Ruth of the Tyrone Police Department. "I didn't know when he was going to jump so I just decided to go ahead and take the shot."

Previous Stories: May 18, 2010: Caught On Tape: Wild Fox Attacks Man