Madison Police Kill Fox That Attacked 2 People

shot and killed a fox after it attacked two people Thursday morning on a Longview Avenue lawn, authorities said.

The victims were transported to Morristown Medical Center and the animal is being tested for rabies, police said.

According to a statement by the Madison Police Department, Caroline Malia, 23, was knocking on the front door of the residence where she babysits on Longview Avenue and was approached by what she thought was a large cat.

"Before she realized it, the fox began to attack her legs," police said.

Hearing the woman's screams, next-door neighbor John Hamilton was able to free the animal's hold on the woman, police said. In doing so, he was bitten on the hand as he threw the animal against a car, police said.

Madison Police Sgt. Dennis Lam and Officer Matthew Mirabella responded to the scene, discovered the animal and destroyed it, police said.

Malia and Hamilton were treated by the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Madison Fire Department, and the agencies transported them to the hospital.

The Madison Health Department and Millburn Animal Control, which is contracted by Madison, also responded.

Police directed residents to www.cdc.gov/rabies/ for more information about the rabies virus.