WEST SPRINGFIELD – A recent sighting of potentially rabid foxes in West Springfield has the police department reminding residents to avoid contact with wildlife at all costs.

The sighting took place around the Belmont Avenue area around Jan. 2, where a skulk of foxes was reported to be acting aggressive and “extremely abnormal,” according to the police department.

West Springfield Animal Control and Animal Health Inspector Jessecah Gower told Reminder Publishing the department received a 911 call from a person who claimed to have been chased by the foxes. She added that, although the department cannot confirm whether the foxes are rabid until testing is done, one of the foxes was producing “excessive saliva” at the mouth.

“As far as rabies goes, the only way to know is to test the brain matter post-mortem. I can’t say these animals do or do not have rabies,” she said. “If they had rabies, they would’ve been in the beginning stages of the clinical signs – exhibiting a lot of symptoms not typical of normal fox behavior.”

Because the foxes have not yet been captured, the West Springfield Police Department posted a warning on its Facebook page asking residents to stay indoors with their pets.

The department has also asked the Department of Environmental Protection Police for help due to the mobility of the foxes.

Rabies is a virus that is only found in mammals and attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms in animals include “foaming” at the mouth, unusually aggressive behavior and loss of fear of humans, according to HealthDay. Alternatively, an animal with rabies may become extremely sluggish and reclusive, causing it to hang its head or drape its limbs.

The virus can be spread to humans through a deep bite or scratch from an infected animal.

Gower said it’s important to remind residents they should never approach wildlife in any given situation, regardless if the animal is rabid or not.

“If you see any sort of predator, or wildlife in general, just remove yourself from that area and don’t put your pets outside unsupervised,” she commented.

The animal control inspector added that individuals should call the West Springfield Health Department and animal control office if any physical contact happens with a wild animal. If bitten, wash the wound immediately and go to the nearest hospital.

The West Springfield Health Department can be reached at 263-3206, while the animal control office can be reached at 413-263-3210 ext. 9.