Some locals advise wearing pepper sprays to defend against attack.
Residents of the Rego Park neighborhood in Queens, east of the city, have complained of several squirrel attacks in recent months, with a woman who even had to go to hospital after a bite to her hand, said reported local media. “He bit or scratched my neck, I had to try to hit him with my hands then it turned into a wrestling match and I lost“, told the victim, assaulted on December 21, to a radio station.
According to AFP, which reported the information on Wednesday, her hands were covered in blood and bruises and she had to be vaccinated against rabies as a precaution. With the fear of seeing the neighborhood children being attacked.
Another resident explained that she now moves with pepper spray to defend herself in the event of an attack by climbing rodents.
New York health officials have advised residents to hire a professional to deal with this local wildlife problem. “Squirrels and other small rodents rarely carry rabies“, said the city services in a statement.
The New York City Parks Management Department has warned residents against distributing food to squirrels, which accustom them to human contact.
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