A possibly rabid fox bit a visitor at Mount Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island, according to New York state officials. On Saturday, Aug. 29, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said the visitor had been bitten the day before. The agency issued a safety advisory effective through Monday, Aug. 31, and warned visitors to avoid the fox and report unusual behavior. Staten Island has had the highest number of rabies-positive animals this year, with 9 cases reported in 2026 alone.
