Aggressive Squirrels Terrorising And Injuring Residents In New York Neighbourhood

A neighbourhood in New York is being terrorised by hyper-aggressive squirrels. Watch a report on the rodent rampage here:

Some residents in Rego Park, Queens, are now scared to go outside following a spate of squirrel attacks in the area.

Micheline Frederick is one victim whose bite wounds are still healing after she was viscously assaulted.

Speaking to WCBS-TV, she said: "You hear someone has been bitten by a squirrel, you're like 'Okay, you got a little nib, what's the deal?' But this was... this was an MMA cage match! And I lost!"

"We're wrestling in the snow and there's blood everywhere and my fingers getting chewed and it won't let go.

"Eventually, it just stopped and there I was a big bloody mess."

ABC7 NY

Micheline got a rabies shot as a precaution after the attack on 21 December and tried to warn her neighbours - but there's little that can be done when they strike.

Vinati Singh said the squirrels 'are aggressively going after people', including her husband on two occasions.

He said: "He basically grabbed onto the plastic bag that I had, tried to climb up my leg. I was able to shoo them off. That was the first time.

"The second time was right here when I tried to get in."

At least three other people in the area have reported being attacked by a squirrel, but it's not clear whether this is just one psychotic little fella or some kind of brutal squirrel cartel terrorising the neighbourhood.

ABC7 NY

Traps have now been laid but the culprit/culprits haven't been caught yet. In the meantime, Anita Singh Sood is taking no chances.

Speaking to ABC7 NY, she said: "When we have to leave the house we have to carry one of mom's homemade pepper sprays, to make sure - 'cause if the squirrel comes at us, we spray it."

The NYC Department of Health said that the squirrel/squirrels are unlikely to have rabies.

It said: "The NYC Health Department received a complaint about an aggressive squirrel in Rego Park and advised the property owner to hire an New York State licensed trapper.

"Squirrels and many other small rodents are rarely found to be infected with rabies.

"If New Yorkers believe they have observed an animal infected with rabies, they should report it to 311."

Topics: US News, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey