'Almost killed me': Squirrel attacking residents in California town, sending at least 2 to hospital
A California squirrel has gone nuts, and neighbors in one town are on the alert.
Residents in the town of San Rafael have reported a series of attacks from a vicious brown squirrel that sent at least two people to the emergency room, according to the local humane society.
Marin Humane confirmed to ABC News that there have been reported attacks from a wild squirrel in the area that may be the result of public feeding.
"We've received reports at least two reports of people being attacked by a squirrel in a neighborhood of San Rafael. This behavior is unusual for squirrels and is likely the result of someone feeding it," said Lisa Bloch, the director of marketing and communications at Marin Humane, in a statement.
"When wildlife is fed by humans, they can lose their natural fear and act more emboldened. This is why we remind people that feeding wildlife can have negative consequences - for both people and the animals," Bloch added.
The Marin County Sheriff's Office could not confirm the reported attacks when contacted by ABC News.
Joan Heblack was enjoying a peaceful walk through Lucas Valley in San Rafael, when the rodent launched itself at her and proceeded to claw and bite her, she told ABC News affiliate, KGO-TV.
"It came out of nowhere. I didn't see him running up to me at all," Heblack said. "It clamped onto my leg. The tail was flying up here. I was like, 'Get it off me, get off me!' I didn't want to touch it."
Heblack said her injuries were so severe, she went to the ER to seek treatment.
Flyers have been plastered around the area warning "attack squirrel beware," KGO reported.
"This is not a joke more than 5 people have been attacked by a very mean squirrel over the past few days," the flyers read.
Isabel Campoy said she was another victim of the vicious squirrel and was hospitalized from her wounds after coming into contact with the rodent on a walk.
"Squirrel went from the floor tried to jump up to my face, I tried to protect my face, my arm was completely overcome by squirrel," Campoy told KGO. "Finally it jumped off, by then I was full of blood, I run to the emergency room."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agrees that feeding wild animals is destructive, as it may cause them to react negatively when they are not fed.
"Wild animals that gain regular access to human or domestic pet food slowly get used to being in busy areas and seeing humans. Over time, these usually calm and docile animals may become aggressive and cause harm to people in the area," the agency says on its website.
There have been no reported cases of rabies transmission from squirrels to humans in the United States, as they do not spread rabies, according to the LA County Department of Public Health.
