Fourteen Injured in Sreepur Fox Attacks Sparking Local Panic

A series of sudden fox attacks across the Sreepur upazila of Gazipur has left at least fourteen residents injured within a single night. The victims of the nocturnal onslaught include men, women, and young children. The incidents transpired on Saturday night across various neighbourhoods in the Gosinga union and Ward No. 1 of the Sreepur municipality, causing widespread alarm among the local population.

According to local sources, residents had spotted an unusual increase in fox sightings near residential areas over the past few days. However, the situation escalated dramatically after dusk on Saturday. Wild foxes entered human settlements, aggressively targeting unsuspecting pedestrians and residents. In several terrifying instances, the animals breached domestic properties, attacking people inside their own homes.

Among the injured, nine individuals have been identified by the authorities. They are Akash, 13; Naim, 11; Mazeda, 45; Rozina, 36; Helena Akhter, 40; Ashraful Islam, 26; Shefali, 34; Saifunnahar, 23; and Araf, 14. The identities of the remaining five victims could not be confirmed immediately.

Residents of Bhangnahati village reported that a fox managed to sneak into a household situated near the local Kamil Madrasah. The animal bit and wounded two women inside the house before family members could intervene. This specific breach has heightened anxiety among parents, who are now deeply concerned about the physical safety of their children. Many families are choosing to remain indoors after dark, while others have started patrolling the village paths with sticks to deter further wildlife intrusions.

Dr Ali Azgor Sohag, an emergency medical officer at the Sreepur Upazila Health Complex, confirmed the influx of patients. He stated that by 9:30 pm on Saturday, the medical facility had provided emergency treatment to at least fourteen individuals suffering from animal bites. Medical staff administered wound care and anti-rabies vaccinations to all victims. Wildlife experts suggest that such aggressive behaviour in foxes often stems from habitat disruption, food scarcity, or rabies infection. Concurrently, panicked community members have urged the forestry department and wildlife conservation authorities to intervene immediately to neutralise the threat and restore public safety.