DeKalb County

Mother describes frightening moment fox attacked her son outside American Deli

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County mother is recalling how frightened she was as she watched a rabid fox attack her 15-year-old son.

Channel 2′s Tom Jones learned her son is one of two people believed to have been bitten by the fox.

Stephanie Clark said she and her son stopped by the American Deli on Turner Hill Road in Stonecrest on July 9. As her son came out of the restaurant, the fox attacked him.

“The fox actually stood up on his back legs, and he bit my son’s toe and scratched his leg,” Clark said.

She was in the car and watched it all unfold as her son began kicking and trying to shake the fox off.

“I rolled the window down and told him to run, get in the car,” Clark said. “And that’s what he did. And he ran out of his shoe. And the fox grabbed his shoe.”

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Jones recently reported on the fox terrorizing a shopping plaza and Walmart nearby. Workers said another customer was bitten and the fox chased several people near their cars.

Channel 2 received video of DeKalb County Animal Services capturing the fox. The animal did not go down without a fight.

The county confirmed the fox had rabies and was euthanized. Animal services believes there are other foxes in the area and ask people to be on the lookout and watch out for their pets.

“I was very concerned. He was scared at first. Cause when he got in the car I was like I got to take you to the emergency room,” Clark said.

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DeKalb County Animal Services said that is what you should do if you are bitten: get medical attention and report the bites to the department.

Animal services also said it is best to eliminate outdoor feeding stations and access to garbage cans or bins. Workers at the Stonecrest shopping center believe trash was what attracted the fox.

As for Clark, the good news is her son got his shots and is back on the football field at Miller Grove High School.

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