Wild Fox Finally Caught In DC After Biting Several, Including Congressman
By Jason Hall
April 6, 2022
A fox was captured by U.S. Capitol Police after reports of aggressive encounters "on or near the grounds of the U.S. Capitol," which included a House of Representatives member being bit by the wild animal.
U.S. Capitol Police shared four photos from the scene, which included two of officials capturing the fox and two more of the animal inside a crate with the caption, "#BREAKING: Captured," on their verified Twitter account.
The post was shared hours after the department initially announced it had received multiple reports regarding aggressive fox encounters in the area of the U.S. Capitol.
"We have received several reports of aggressive fox encounters on or near the grounds of the U.S. Capitol," U.S. Capitol Police shared on Twitter prior to capturing the fox. "For your safety, please do not approach any foxes. Animal Control Officers are working to trap and relocate any foxes they find."
#BREAKING: Captured. pic.twitter.com/LJAn2ZjH9J
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 5, 2022
The department shared the photos shortly after Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) told reporters he'd been bitten Monday (April 4) night outside the Russell Senate Office building during an "unprovoked" attack.
“I didn’t see it and all of a sudden I felt something lunge at the back of my leg,” Bera said via Punchbowl News managing editor Heather Caygle. “I jumped and got my umbrella."
Rep. Ami Bera confirms he was BIT by the Senate fox last night
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) April 5, 2022
He described attack, which occurred near Russell building, as “unprovoked”
“I didn’t see it and all of a sudden I felt something lunge at the back of my leg,” Bera said.
“I jumped and got my umbrella,” he continues
Bera told reporters that he'd used his umbrella to scare the fox away, noting that a witness saw the situation take place and "Capitol police came out" before the animal ran off.
"It was the most bizarre day in Congress," Bera added.
Bera goes on to act out for us how he spun around quickly, using his umbrella to scare the fox away.
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) April 5, 2022
“Someone was like ‘hey a fox is attacking that guy,’” he continues.
“Capitol police came out and then fox ran away. It was the most bizarre day in Congress.”
Caygle tweeted an "exclusive picture of Bera's suit with puncture marks from the fox," which were provided from the congressman's office.
UPDATE: Here's an exclusive picture of Bera's suit with the puncture marks from the fox
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) April 5, 2022
Bera told me the fox punctured his suit to his sock, but he did not see a wound on his skin.
(Photo courtesy of Bera's office) pic.twitter.com/ln1DdQJ8K1
Bera said the fox also managed to puncture his sock, but he didn't notice any skin wounds after the biting incident.