Posted on 07/26/2017 3:11:19 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Summer—the season when everything smells like hot garbage—is finally in full-swing in New York City. With the MTA seemingly intent on preventing us from going anywhere—never mind outside the city—folks from Brooklyn and beyond trek to Prospect Park to cool down and escape the pungent odors in the air. Unfortunately, our idyllic summer days at the park might already be over as an “unusually aggressive” squirrel has infiltrated and attacked five park goers.
In a press release shared with Gizmodo, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)—which is overseeing SquirrelGate —said the attacks took place between July 18th and July 20th near the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance to the park.
“Four patients have been identified; a fifth, who was attacked while jogging, has not been identified,” the DOHMH said. “This is an isolated incident. Squirrels are rarely infected with rabies; however, based on the unusual aggressive behavior, the Health Department is acting under the assumption that the animal is rabid.”
The DOHMH has not been able to verify whether or not the squirrel has rabies because frankly, it can’t find the damn thing. A rep from the DOHMH told Gizmodo that they “don’t have any updates today,” meaning the suspect is either still at large or dead.
“I’m afraid of every sound in New York.” According to wildlife biologist Imogene Cancellare, the squirrel could have “furious rabies,” a variant of the disease in which an animal exhibits aggression and hyperactivity. Animals with this form of rabies usually die within a few days.
“Rabies causes death by cardiac arrest and issues with respiratory regulation, or when the throat closes up as other muscles are slowly paralyzed,” Cancellare told Gizmodo. “So an animal’s death is a function of incubation time and severity of onset of symptoms.” When the virus settles in an virus animal’s brain and causes disfunction that leads to aggression and other strange behavior.
Image Courtesy of Brooklyn Resident Sophie Kleeman Perhaps the most concerning factor is that the hostile squirrel could “transmit the virus to many other mammals” before it dies. Even if we assume the squirrel is dead, there’s still a possibility it infected other creatures in the park before going out in a blaze of glory.
“Any person or pet bitten by wildlife anywhere should contact their health care provider or veterinarian to determine if medical care is needed,” the DOHM said in a statement.
In general, squirrels very rarely carry rabies. If this squirrel has—or had—the disease, it would be something of a freaky, furry phenomenon. Nevertheless, the squirrel has shaken a community to its core.
“I’m afraid of every sound in New York,” Brooklyn resident Addie Cahen told Gizmodo.
Others expressed sympathy for the squirrel and sent their best wishes to the victims.
“I hope no one else gets bitten,” Julia Tejeda, who lives near the park, said. “I hope the squirrel is okay.”
If you have information about the squirrel terrorizing Prospect Park, please send tips and photos to rae@gizmodo.com.
Eat your heart out, Jack the Ripper.
Da Commie-Oh is taking a vacation?
I know dat squirrel and I ain't sayin nuthin........Go Squirrel!
Go figger, a squirrel willing to start the revolution and nobody cares............
What about the Killer Rabbit?
[If you have information about the squirrel terrorizing Prospect Park, please send tips and photos to rae@gizmodo.com.]
He was in an Uber taxi after taking out Bette Midler at home plate.
Right now, we’re calling him “Gillooly”.
Unconfirmed reports indicate he may be hiding in a large Christmas tree......
We may have to send away for some tiny instruments to work on him.
Do we have a deal with the squirrels? Last time George checked, it was “NO!”.
“The suspect is still at large or dead”
Could be anybody then.
How do we know, for sure, that this isn’t some cat wearing a squirrel suit?
Jimmy Carter needs to be called immediately.
The fifth victim was attacked by jogging.....
Don’t run from it!
Running activates his pursuit nature!
If you see him, lie down on the ground and pretend to be a mushroom.
This is your best defense.
Or buy some squirrel spray.
I think it’s $3.50 a can.
Or you can use cobra urine.
Let me know how that works out for you, getting a cobra to pee on you.
Or, if you have a 300 Winchester Magnum, you could try to take him on.
But you have to hit him in the esophagus. That’s where squirrels are weakest.
Does anyone here remember the squirrel scene in “Patch Adams”? One of the few bits of that movie worth watching in what was otherwise a silly rehash of “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Dead Poets Society”.
“You all know me. Queeg’s the name. I’ll catch this squirrel for you. Oh, but it won’t be for no $5000. Nope. I want $3.50 so I can buy some squirrel spray. Ohhhhhh......I love to go squirrelin with bow legged women and shave their hairy legs!”
Must be from Texas.
Yeah, and the people who got bit are hoping they don't get rabies.
Good luck to both of you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.