Featured Image Credit: ABC/KGO
Topics: California, US News, Animals, Community
Niamh Shackleton
A squirrel dubbed the 'attack squirrel' has reportedly been terrorizing residents in a US town.
People living in San Rafael, California, located around 80 miles from Sacramento, are on high alert for a brown squirrel that's been attacking people.
Multiple people are said to have been victims of the squirrel's aggression, leaving two needing to go to the emergency room.
One person to have been attacked was Joan Heblack. Speaking to KRON4, the elderly woman said: "I was just walking along, and suddenly, there’s a squirrel attached to my thigh. Just clomped down on my thigh.
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"I look down and I was like 'What is that?' I said, 'Get off, get off.' I was trying to brush him off. He was just clinging more and biting."
Marie Ayoob also claims that her husband was attacked by what may be the same angry squirrel.
Apparently, her spouse tried to stop the animal from chewing their wooden fence when it 'jumped on his head', leaving him with a scratch.
In light of the numerous outbreaks by the 'attack squirrel', residents have created posters warning other community members about the rodent.
"This is not a joke," the posters warn and describe the offending animal as 'a very mean squirrel' that 'comes out of nowhere'.
"Several have gone to the ER with severe lacerations," it also reads.
Now, WildCare, a wildlife hospital, nature education center, and wildlife advocacy organization in Marin County, has issued a warning about squirrels.
A spokesperson said: "WildCare has received numerous calls about a squirrel attacking residents in the Lucas Valley neighborhood of San Rafael.
"Unfortunately, the squirrel is most likely approaching people and biting them because he was raised by people, or has been hand-fed by a human, but is now on his own, uncertain about how to forage, and desperate for food. Squirrels are naturally shy animals."
They went on to write: "Especially right now, when the local tree squirrels are having their second brood of babies for the summer, it’s common for baby squirrels to end up on the ground.
"People sometimes find fallen baby squirrels, and decide to keep them and raise them themselves. There are many reasons doing this is a bad idea."
"The lesson here is don’t feed wildlife, and always bring orphaned baby animals to WildCare for care. We make sure they remain wild," they concluded.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service echoes similar sentiments on its website.
"Wild animals that gain regular access to human or domestic pet food slowly get used to being in busy areas and seeing humans," it says, adding: "Over time, these usually calm and docile animals may become aggressive and cause harm to people in the area."