‘Unusually Aggressive’ Mystery Animal Attacks 3 People in New Hampshire, Including an Intense Incident Caught on Camera

Three attacks by an aggressive wild animal were reported in the Centerra Park area of Lebanon, New Hampshire, police said. The species involved in the incidents is unknown at this time.

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Three attacks by an aggressive wild animal were reported in the Centerra Park area of Lebanon, New Hampshire

Police said they were not able to confirm what kind of animal it was despite obtaining video of one attack, but witnesses say it may be a gray fox or fisher

Authorities urge caution near wooded areas and advise seeking medical attention if bitten or scratched, as the animal could have rabies, which can be fatal

Authorities in New Hampshire are warning the public about a recent string of attacks by a mystery animal.

The Lebanon Police Department (LPD) announced that it received reports of three attacks that have occurred in the Centerra Park area since Sunday, Aug. 30, involving an “unusually aggressive” unknown animal. One shocking encounter was caught on video.

The footage, obtained by PEOPLE from the LPD, shows the animal racing out of a grassy area into a parking lot, where it dodges under a parked U-Haul truck before appearing to lunge at the driver, who had just exited their vehicle. The person tries to ward off the animal as it repeatedly jumps toward them by using whatever is in their hands, but the creature rips the object away. Later, the animal drops the object and attacks the driver again, latching onto their leg as the person tries to shake it off.

The driver eventually flings the animal away, and a second person arrives to check on the U-Haul driver. The clip ends with the animal returning under the U-Haul before running back toward the woods.

One attack occurred on Sunday, while the other two were reported on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The LPD said in a press release that it was unable to “confirm what type of animal” was involved in the incidents. However, the agency noted that witnesses described it as “either a gray fox or a fisher,” a carnivorous creature in the weasel family, per the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

The LPD is warning residents, employees, and visitors in the Centerra Park area to be cautious amid the attacks, especially when “walking near wooded, brush-covered or other areas where wildlife may be present.” The department also noted that anyone who sees a wild animal behaving aggressively or unusually should move to a safe location and call police.

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“It’s concerning because of the animal attacking people. That’s usually indicative of something being wrong with the animal, most likely rabies,” LPD Chief Phillip Roberts told KMBC. “And then, you know, the fact that it’s coming out and scratching and biting at people. That’s obviously a concern to us.”

The LPD said in a news release that rabies “can be transmitted to people through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or through infected saliva entering an open wound or contacting the eyes, nose or mouth.”

Symptoms of rabies include fever, vomiting, nausea, hallucinations, insomnia and partial paralysis, according to Mayo Clinic.

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Police said that anyone who is “bitten or scratched” by a wild animal should immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention to determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is necessary, as rabies can be fatal.

“The Lebanon Police Department will continue to monitor the Centerra Park area and coordinate with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department as appropriate,” the LPD said in a statement. “Anyone who encounters an aggressive wild animal should maintain a safe distance and contact police.”