FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — Michelle Kirk, a Clay County resident, has a word of warning for neighbors after spotting a wild red fox in her back yard.
“I can tell he was very sick and very agitated, so that was my first concern, that it was rabies," Kirk said. "And that was scary."
The wild animal was seen on Kirk’s home surveillance cameras, roaming around for nearly two hours searching for its next meal in her backyard.
“Normally I get up in the morning and I like to look at the camera because a lot of times we’ll have raccoons or possums, armadillos, and a lot of cats, but this time it was a fox."
She said the frisky omnivore caused quite the concern based on its malnourished appearance.
“I was worried about the cats, and the small kids and the animals,” Kirk said.
Kirk also told First Coast News that her neighbor spotted another fox around lunch time, both animals appeared sick.
First Coast News reached out to wildlife officials and showed them the video. They say the animals appeared to be suffering from mange, a skin disease that comes from mites and causes severe itching and hair loss.
Karen Parker, Spokesperson for the Florida Wildlife Conservatory Commission, added that its's best to keep your distance if you see foxes in your neighborhood.
"Don't approach the fox, don't try to catch it, don't try to treat it, and don't give it food and water, it is illegal to feed foxes in the sate of Florida," Parker said.
If you have questions or concerns about wildlife in your area, you can contact FWCC at 386-758-0525 and ask to speak with the wildlife assistance biologist.