SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - An extremely aggressive squirrel in the North Bay has sent at least two people to the hospital, prompting a warning from animal care officials.
What we know:
Marin Humane said two attacks were reported to its agency: one on Sept. 13 and another the following day. The two victims, both women, were bitten while walking in their neighborhood in the Lucas Valley area.
The agency said in both instances the women went to a hospital emergency department for observation and treatment. Their injuries did not require hospitalization.
Same culprit
Animal care experts believe it was the same squirrel behind both attacks.
"They happened in almost the same place," explained Lisa Bloch, director of marketing and communications for Marin Humane, adding that the description of the biting squirrel was the same in both attacks. "The squirrel has a particular coloring. He's kind of a caramel color or a golden color and that's a little bit more unique," Bloch said.
What's behind the attacks?
She said it’s unusual for squirrels to be that aggressive, and wildlife experts believe the attacks were likely a result of someone feeding the animal.
"We see it sometimes, especially in Marin," Bloch explained. "People love animals, which is wonderful,
but they mistakenly think that a way to help animals is to feed them. And in fact it does the opposite."
She said the animal will begin to depend on getting food from people, which can get dangerous.
"The squirrel will go up to a human assuming they're going to get fed and then, because the human might react, understandably, in a defensive way or angry way, the squirrel can get frustrated, and that can lead to the squirrel lashing out."
