Rash of squirrel attacks in Marin County prompt warning

The rampaging rodents prompted county health officials to issue a warning this week about the rash of bizarre attacks.

The incidents differ in specifics, but all have occurred near the intersection of Sutro Avenue and Vineyard Road in Novato over the last two and a half weeks, according to the Marin Humane Society

“The attacks are described as a squirrel suddenly running up to the victims, crawling up their bodies, and biting them in various areas,” the humane society said in a statement, noting that victims have suffered injuries to their hands, arms, legs and head.

If the thought of an unprovoked squirrel attack doesn’t scare you enough to make you stay inside forever, let’s not forget that a pack of at least a dozen raccoons rushed an Irish couple who were out walking their dogs in San Francisco in November, one of two similar encounters in the city’s Richmond district this year.

The humane society, the county Department of Health and Human Services, and WildCare, an animal care provider, are investigating the string of attacks in Novato and think they are likely all attributable to the same exceedingly angry varmint, though they have not released a suspect description in the attacks.

The humane society also said homeowners can make their yards less attractive to rodents by cutting back trees that overhang roofs, blocking potential entrance sites to their homes and removing bird feeders.