MIDDLEBOROUGH — A fox that officials believe was responsible for two attacks earlier this week has been found and killed.

Middleborough Police say a resident spotted the fox shortly after 12 a.m. on Tuesday on Plymouth Street, just north of the Kampground of America entrance where a woman was bitten by a fox Monday morning.

The animal was found in a ditch on the side of the road and appeared sick and agitated. Police determined that the fox presented an immediate threat to public safety and, in accordance with standard procedure, shot and killed the animal.

"Given that the animal had attacked two people, it was considered to be threat to the public and had to be killed in order for it to be tested for rabies and other diseases," Chief Perkins said in a statement. "I want to thank the many residents who reached out yesterday in helping us locate the fox."

The Middleborough Animal Control Officer has taken custody of the fox which will be taken to a state lab where it will be tested for rabies.

A woman reported being bitten repeatedly by a fox on Muttock Lane at about 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, with another woman reporting a fox attack on Monday morning at the KOA campground, less than half a mile away from the first attack, on Plymouth Street. Both woman were transported to area hospitals to be treated for their injuries.

Because of the proximity and timing of the attacks, police believed the same animal was responsible. The attacks sparked a search Monday involving Middleborough Police, Middleborough Animal Control, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Multiple traps were set up in the area of Route 44 near Plymouth Street.

Police say anyone who may have come into contact with a fox or anyone who may have been attacked or bitten by a fox should seek medical treatment.

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