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Sheriff warns of rabid foxes and wildlife encounters in Ramsey Canyon area
Summary
Sheriff Mark Danos reported two rabid foxes found in Ramsey Canyon and urged residents to avoid contact with wild animals and to vaccinate pets. He recounted a recent attack in a canyon area that sent a man for treatment and said county and federal partners are involved in response.
Sheriff Mark Danos said Cochise County has documented two rabid foxes in Ramsey Canyon and reported other recent wildlife encounters, and he urged residents to avoid contact with wild animals and to ensure pets are vaccinated.
Danos credited partners including a USDA representative, Al Thomas, and county animal control for responding to the reports. He described an incident in which a man walking in Ash Canyon was bitten by a wild animal and required medical treatment; the sheriff said responders were not able to locate a single animal matching witnesses’ descriptions after the attack. Danos also described a separate report of a wild animal entering a county jail pump/plumbing area that was captured on camera.
"If they're acting unique, crazy, friendly, even to a point, don't go up and try to pet it please," Danos said on the broadcast, advising residents to leave wildlife alone and call authorities when they encounter aggressive or abnormal behavior.
Why it matters: Rabies is a serious zoonotic disease; public‑health guidance includes avoiding wild animals, vaccinating pets and contacting animal control or law‑enforcement when an aggressive animal is observed.
No policy changes were announced; Danos urged caution and use of established animal‑control channels.
