Marin’s mellow has been harshed by squirrels. In the past weeks, eight people and one school classroom have reported squirrel attacks in Novato, a Marin County city across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. What’s up in squirrel world? Is it a lone squirrel or a squirrely gang? And what is the motive behind these stochastic strikes?
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A newspaper report of the incidents includes Marin Humane Society’s (MHS) description:
“The attacks are described as a squirrel suddenly running up to the victims, crawling up their bodies, and biting them in various areas,” the humane society said in a statement, noting that victims have suffered injuries to their hands, arms, legs and head. At least eight people have been injured, with one requiring a trip to the emergency room.
Residents of the Novato area will want to keep their heads on a swivel as not all of the attacks have come from below.
“There have also been reported instances in which squirrels have jumped out of trees and attacked the victims,” the humane society said.
Last month, a squirrel ran into a classroom at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, about a block from where the other attacks have occurred. Once inside, the rodent bit a student and teacher before fleeing the scene into an open space near the school, according to a report from KPIX.
The Human Society says it may be due to people feeding the squirrels or raising babies as pets then releasing the wild animal. Such animals no longer avoid humans, although mugging people for peanuts seems a giant leap for a squirrel accustomed to raiding bird feeders. Tamed squirrels I’ve known have come back to visit and get head scratches, but none has attacked. MHS suspects it’s one squirrel individual (not a mob) and there’s no evidence the squirrel is rabid.
Officials also noted that rabies in squirrels is very rare, but all of the victims are receiving anti-rabies medication as a precaution. Investigators suspect the offending rodent was once domesticated and lost its natural fear of humans. The humane society cautioned people never to feed wild animals, which is prohibited in Marin County.
I’m happy to report the the squirrels who share my land haven’t picked up bad habits. There’s been frisky play between a scrub jay and a western grey squirrel, and someone is burying acorns in my flower pots, but I can walk outside without being wary of attack squirrels. The hummingbirds, however, are still dive-bombing me if I don’t keep their feeder full.
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