Two Arcata women were attacked by a fox Tuesday in roughly the same area, but it is unclear if it was the same animal in both attacks.

The first woman walked outside the back door of her residence at about 9:15 a.m. on the 3700 block of Coombs Court when she saw a fox. The animal came at her and bit her on the lower right leg, according to an Arcata Police Department press release. Her husband chased the fox away before taking her

to Mad River Community Hospital. The woman was treated and released.

Rose Dana became the second victim after she stepped outside of her home on the 3500 block of Curtis Way around noon to see why her dog was barking. A small fox leapt out from under a shed and latched onto the back of her left leg just under her knee, she said.

”It was dangling off my leg and I had to beat it off with my other hand,” she said.

Dana said she often sees wildlife such as foxes near her home but not like this -- aside from the attack, the fox was acting oddly. She received four puncture marks during the attack and was taken to Mad River Community Hospital for a tetanus shot and a rabies vaccination.

”It just went for me,” she said. “There's nothing I could have done to stop it.”

Dana said the worst of the vaccination was the circle of shots around her wounds to ensure the virus didn't get far.

”My dog is vaccinated and now I'm vaccinated,” she said.

Police officers carried

The two fox attacks occurred roughly half a mile apart.

Sgt. Todd Dokweiler said both victims received rabies vaccinations, although the APD was unable to test any foxes for the virus.

”That's obviously unusual behavior for a fox and they want to take the precaution,” he said.

The APD reminds residents they should avoid contact with wild animals and report to police any animals who appear sick or act strangely.

Allison White can be reached at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.