Aggressive Squirrel Attacks 5 People In New York, City Warns Park Patrons

New York Health Department officials warned people about a possible rabid and "unusually aggressive squirrel" that has bitten five individuals in a Brooklyn park this month.

The city posted 30 signs in Prospect Park warning park patrons to be careful and warned that an "aggressive squirrel has attacked and bitten 5 people in this area." The squirrel reportedly attacked the bystanders, who included a 7-year-old girl, over the past week.

Wildlife experts said that any squirrel could be aggressive, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

"They have really sharp teeth and jaws to crack nuts, for them to bite, it’s nothing," Rita McMahan told the New York Times. McMahon is the director of Wild Bird Fund, a wildlife center located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

According to McMahon, young squirrels exhibited aggression around the time humans do: during teenage years (about 20 weeks old for squirrels). Their hormones surge and they’re overwhelmed with urges to defend territories. But the attacks are unusual behavior for a squirrel, according to wildlife experts who cited that squirrels typically don’t initiate altercations.

The squirrel reportedly intimidated people near the park’s entrance on Parkside and Ocean Avenues, apparently unprovoked. This odd behavior indicated that the squirrel might have rabies.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, there are no documented cases of squirrels transmitting rabies to humans. If the hostile squirrel that attacked people in Prospect Park had rabies, it would have died by now, according to the parks department.

The Center for Disease Control issued a statement Friday urging those attacked by the squirrel on July 10 to receive rabies treatments, according to the Washington Post Monday.

"This animal has exhibited extremely unusual behavior and we are urging anyone who has been bitten by it, including any pets, to go and see your doctor or veterinarian," Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett told the Washington Post. "Most squirrel bites occur when someone attempts to feed the animal. Keep a safe distance from wildlife and never feed wild animals."

Three park rangers went on patrol in the park Monday equipped with safety gloves, cages and snare poles, Sam Biederman, a spokesman for the parks department, told the New York Times.

"Having observed the area over the weekend, park rangers report that the squirrel’s activity seems to have ceased," Biederman said. "We remind park-goers not to approach wildlife of any kind, even if they don’t seem angry."

Experts still wondered why a seemingly healthy squirrel would attack people. Arina Hinzen, a registered New York State wildlife rehabilitator, told the New York Times that the squirrel was likely raised as a pet and then freed into the park.

"I get bitten by the ones I nursed and loved and cared for since they were teeny, tiny, little adorable ones," Hinzen said.

"While I am telling them they are ungrateful little creatures, this is in fact how you want to see them," she added. "You want them to have their wild instinct."

However, even if humans raised it, the squirrel would still have a bit of fear in it — along with a craving for snacks, Hinzen said.

"Possibly somebody raised it at home and then found out the hard way that they do not make very good pets," Hinzen said. "Then they put it outside and now this poor, psycho squirrel is attacking everybody."