The fox captured by U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday has been euthanized to test for rabies after it “nipped” California Congressman Ami Bera and eight other people.
Kits belonging to the female fox have been pulled from a nearby den and their fate is currently unclear.
#BREAKING: Captured. pic.twitter.com/LJAn2ZjH9J
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 5, 2022
“The fox responsible for 9 confirmed bites on Capitol Hill yesterday was captured and humanely euthanized so that rabies testing may be done,” DC Health said in a statement, according to a report from NBC News. “The fox was an adult female and her kits were found and captured this morning.”
Rabies testing requires acquiring samples from two sections of the brain.
Rep. Bera said in a statement that he initially believed the fox was a small dog.
“[I] felt something lunge at the back of my leg. Thought it was going to be a small dog or something. Kind of jumped and then it’s like, that’s not a dog. It’s a fox,” Bera said. “You know, somebody started saying, ‘Hey, there’s a fox attacking that guy.'”
Bera’s office said that while he was suit was ripped, it wasn’t clear if the fox pierced his skin. However, the congressman did take a trip to Walter Reed Hospital to receive precautionary shots.
Despite the hassle, Bera had said that he had no ill will towards the animal. He returned to work the next day.
Thanks everyone for the well wishes! I feel healthy and am glad to be back at work.
Despite the dustup, I hold no grudge or ill will against @thecapitolfox. Hoping the 🦊 and its family are safely relocated and wishing it a happy and prosperous future. https://t.co/ys9aifa2MN
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) April 6, 2022
Politico reporter Ximena Bustillo also said that she was bit by the fox as she left the Capitol.
That feel when you get bit by a fox leaving Capitol cause that’s of course something I expect in THE MIDDLE OF DC.
— Ximena (@Ximena_Bustillo) April 5, 2022
