Fox attacks 2 dogs in Coral Harbour

The Health Department is warning people in Coral Harbour to be cautious after a fox attacked two dogs in the community on Wednesday.

Health spokesperson Danarae Sommerville confirmed the fox was killed and the two dogs were euthanized following the attack.

Since November, six foxes and three dogs in Nunavut have been found to be infected with rabies. Wednesday’s fox attack brings the total to seven foxes and five dogs with likely rabies infections.

“Due to the danger of rabies, we advise all residents to be on the lookout for foxes in the area,” Somerville said in a news release.

People who have been bitten or scratched by a fox or a dog should go to a health centre and report the incident immediately. Treatment for rabies must be started quickly after exposure, as the disease is almost always fatal in humans and in animals without treatment.

The Health Department says any dog left unsupervised is at risk of encountering a fox.

“Dogs that owners claim are supervised 100 per cent of the time have had rabies,” Somerville said, urging people to monitor dogs for any changes in behaviour and for signs of rabies.

Signs of rabies include strange behaviour, staggering, frothing at the mouth, choking or making strange noises. Animals exhibiting these signs should be avoided and reported to the regional environmental health office at 867-645-6660 or a conservation officer at 867-975-1104.

People should also contact officers if they spot a fox or wolf wandering around the community or if they know of a dog that has had contact with a fox or wolf.