Moore County authorities are urging residents to remain cautious after two fox attacks were reported in Southern Pines over the weekend—one of which has now been confirmed to involve a rabid animal.

According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, the first incident occurred on Saturday, July 5, when Animal Services deputies were dispatched to Duncan Road near May Street. A woman told deputies she was bitten by a fox while jogging along the roadside. Deputies searched the area extensively, but the fox was not found.

Just two days later, on Monday, July 7, deputies responded to a second incident on nearby Crestview Road—roughly half a mile from the first attack. In this case, a woman said she was attacked while trying to protect her pet from an aggressive fox. During the struggle, she was able to kill the animal.

The fox from the Crestview Road attack was sent to the State Laboratory in Raleigh for rabies testing. Officials have now confirmed the animal tested positive for the disease.

While it’s still unclear whether the same fox was responsible for both attacks, Sheriff Fields is urging residents in the area to stay alert, especially when outdoors with pets or children.

“Rabies is a highly contagious and dangerous disease,” Fields said. “We want to make sure the community stays safe, and we’re asking people to report any unusual or aggressive wildlife behavior right away.”

Anyone who witnesses abnormal wildlife activity or comes into contact with a potentially dangerous animal is encouraged to contact local authorities immediately.