Police in Sanford and the Maine Warden Service are warning the public to watch out for a possible rabid fox spotted over the weekend.

Police announced the warning on Saturday, March 30, stating the animal was last seen near Chippendale Drive. According to the announcement, the service is working with police to find the fox.

Police said the public can call (207) 324-3644 “if they see a fox wandering this area which appears lethargic or unhealthy.”

Police cautioned that any fox that approaches or doesn’t run away from humans or domestic animals could also be rabid. 

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies reports for the first few months of 2023 were down compared to 2022.  

From January to May 2023, the center confirmed 30 different animals were rabid, including one fox. Over the same period in 2022, there were 35 different cases.

According to Maine CDC: “Rabies is a virus that infects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Rabies spreads when infected animals bite, and in some cases scratch, other animals or humans. All mammals can get rabies, but raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are the most common animals to test positive for rabies in Maine.”