You know it’s getting bad when the squirrels start to attack. A golden-colored squirrel has been terrorizing residents of San Rafael, California, attacking at least five people and sending two to the emergency room with severe lacerations. Joan Heblack was walking through Lucas Valley when the squirrel suddenly clamped onto her leg, requiring emergency medical treatment and leading her to tell the press, “How do you get a squirrel attached to your leg off?” Residents have posted warning flyers throughout the neighborhood stating "This is not a joke" and describing encounters with the "very mean squirrel" that "comes out of nowhere."
There have been multiple reports of attacks, and the explanation so far is that people shouldn’t feed wild animals. Wildlife experts say squirrels don't carry rabies, but when fed by humans they can become aggressive when food isn't given to them, losing their natural fear of people and becoming territorial…and apparently mean. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warns that feeding wild animals causes them to associate humans with food, potentially leading to aggressive behavior when expectations aren't met.
Source: ABC 7