FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Potentially Rabid Fox at Large; Rabies Recently Confirmed in Another Area Fox
Arlington, VA – On May 6th and 7th, 2025, Arlington County Animal Control responded to several reports of a fox approaching or contacting dogs and people. These reports include the Highland Park neighborhoods of – Overlee Knolls and Leeway Overlee. Animal Control has been working to locate the fox, but it remains at large.
On April 25th, 2025, Animal Control responded to and removed an injured fox from the 6000 block of 22nd Street North in the Highland Park – Overlee Knolls neighborhood. This fox tested POSITIVE for the rabies virus.
Rabies is a disease that people and animals can catch from the bite or scratch of infected animals. It is fatal if medical care is not given promptly. If you, your child, or your pet may have come into contact with a fox in the areas listed below, please call Arlington County Animal Control at 703-931-9241 immediately. After hours, please stay on the line to speak with the answering service who will alert the on-duty officer.
– Arlington – East Falls Church
– Leeway Overlee
– Highland Park – Overlee Knolls
Residents are encouraged to:
● Adults should accompany children walking to and from school and when playing outdoors.
● Ensure pets are up to date on their rabies and distemper vaccines.
● Keep dogs on leash and under control.
● Do not put dogs in fenced in backyards unsupervised. Please check the yard for wildlife before letting your pet outside.
● Keep cats indoors.
● Do not approach or feed wild animals.
● Feed pets inside.
● Remove wildlife attractants from yards, such as unsecured garbage cans, open containers of food (including animal food), heavy yard debris, and compost.
2650 S Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington VA 22206 ⎸(703) 931-9241 ⎸www.awla.org
Arlington County Animal Control is urging residents to remain vigilant. If you see any animal that appears sick, lethargic, disoriented, or aggressive, stay away from the animal and call Animal Control immediately. If you come across a deceased rabies vector animal (including cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, bats, and groundhogs) in your yard or a public space, do not handle the animal and contact Animal Control promptly at 703-931-9241.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Toussaint (she/her)
Chief of Animal Control
Arlington County Animal Control
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
jtoussaint@awla.org
