Eddy County facing rabies outbreak

EDDY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) - The rabies outbreak in Eddy County has taken a scary turn after an infected fox attacked a man, but it was not done yet.

It then went after four small dogs.

Carlsbad is experiencing its worst rabies outbreak ever.

Rabid animals like raccoons, bats and now foxes are on the attack.

Sean lynch awoke to his dog growling Friday morning.

”I went outside to see what was going on when stepped outside saw something run through fence of back yard,” Lynch said. “About that time something bit the back of my leg turned around to see a fox running away.”

Lynch now undergoing rabies shots.

The rabid fox then attacked two dogs down the road and went after Isai Rodriguez’s two dogs Maya and Mateo.

”I heard her screaming barking and crying,” Rodriguez said. “I turned the light on and saw a fox out there…screaming at it to go away didn't do nothing just looked at me like it was a zombie.”

Rodriguez ended up shooting the fox, but it was too late for his 10-year-old dogs.

Both had to be put down.

”Kind of opened my eyes lost two dogs, my girls twins keep crying where Maya and Mateo,” Rodriguez said.

Lynch is still dealing with his rabies treatment.

”It's scary that they’re around and I’m just glad it was me and instead of my kids,” Lynch said.

In all four dogs had to be put down because of this one attack.

Eddy County officials say this year dozens of pets have had to be put down.

Most had not been vaccinated against rabies.