by The infamous gold-brown squirrel has been reportedly attacking multiple residents in the Lucas Valley area, leaving painful wounds and emotional scars. What started as isolated encounters quickly turned alarming enough to prompt neighborhood watch advisories and cautionary flyers stating emphatically, “THIS IS NOT A JOKE.”
A Frightening Encounter with the Serial Squirrel
One of the first known victims, Joan Heblack, recalled her terrifying experience. While out on a morning stroll, the squirrel unexpectedly “clamped onto” her leg. Joan described the chaos: “The tail was flying up here. I was like, ‘Get it off me, get off me!’ I didn’t want to touch it.” Her injuries, marked by deep claw marks, serve as a tangible reminder of the attack’s seriousness.
Similarly, Isabel Campoy and her niece Carmen suffered a more aggressive assault. Campoy recounted, “This is beautiful, now it’s following us, until she almost killed me.” The squirrel reportedly leaped up attempting to reach her face, leading to defensive wounds across her arm that still showed prominent signs of healing. Covered in blood, she rushed to the emergency room for treatment.
“Finally it jumped off, by then I was full of blood. I [ran] to the emergency room.” – Isabel Campoy
What Experts Say About the Unprovoked Attacks
Vanessa Potter of WildCare in San Rafael sheds light on the bizarre behavior, explaining that these types of unprovoked squirrel attacks are rare but not unheard of. She emphasizes that rabies is unlikely involved, shifting focus to animal behavior linked to human interactions.
“If they associate people with food, they’re not afraid of them. They will look for food. If they don’t get it, there can be frustrations. They can be territorial of their space,” Potter explained.
Her advice highlights the dangers of feeding wild animals, which can embolden creatures to approach humans aggressively when expectations are unmet.
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Historical Context: Similar Incidents Across the US and Abroad
San Rafael’s ordeal mirrors previous cases of hostile squirrel attacks documented in different regions:
- In 2021, over a dozen people were attacked by a grey squirrel named “Stripe” in Buckley, Flintshire, UK, leading to the animal’s eventual euthanization after veterinary examination.
- In 2020, a New York neighborhood in Queens experienced multiple squirrel attacks, forcing residents to carry homemade pepper spray for protection.
These examples underscore a growing need for awareness and preparedness when interacting with urban wildlife.
Community Response and Safety Recommendations
Locals in San Rafael have been urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures, including:
- Avoiding direct contact or feeding of squirrels and other wild animals.
- Keeping an eye out for the aggressive squirrel and reporting sightings to animal control.
- Using protective measures when walking through affected areas, such as carrying deterrents or walking in groups.
San Rafael residents hope these strategies will prevent further injuries.
For more detailed coverage on this unusual and concerning series of attacks, visit People.com.
What do you think about this serial attacker squirrel in San Rafael? Have you encountered aggressive wildlife in your neighborhood? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
