A Rhode Island man was seriously injured after a potentially rabid raccoon charged him during a trail run in Potter Wood in South Kingstown.
John Hixon was left with bites, scratches, and a severely injured thumb that needed surgery.
Here's what to know
According to NBC 10, Hixon was running in Potter Wood shortly after noon on August 10 when he noticed a raccoon on the trail. It then charged at him.
He told the outlet the struggle lasted more than three minutes, and at one point, the raccoon was so aggressive that it latched onto his thumb and would not release it.
"And before I could even think, it just ran straight at me screaming and jumped on my knee and started biting and holding on," Hixon said.
After the attack, he was treated for puncture wounds and scratches at South County Hospital, where he received a tetanus shot and rabies post-exposure treatment. He has run through Potter Wood several times a week for about 20 years.
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He was later transferred to Rhode Island Hospital for two procedures. A pin was placed in his hand, and recovery could take six to eight weeks before occupational therapy can begin.
More background
Rhode Island state epidemiologist Dr. Suzanne Bornschein told NBC 10 that positive tests for rabies have increased in the region in 2026, despite testing numbers remaining about the same.
Rabies can cause wild animals to behave aggressively or erratically. Health officials say people bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal should wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.
As more people spend time in natural areas and development continues to overlap with animal habitat, the chances of dangerous encounters can rise. Disease, habitat loss, rising global temperatures, and closer proximity between people and wildlife can all contribute to more frequent encounters.
What can be done?
The Kingston Improvement Association posted a flyer warning residents against walking alone or with animals in Potter Wood, and police said they have not received any additional raccoon reports or sightings. Police believe the animal has probably died.
Avoid approaching wildlife, keep pets close, and leave the area if an animal appears disoriented, unusually bold, or aggressive. Carrying a phone, telling someone your route, and avoiding isolated walks alone can also help reduce risks.
Hixon told NBC 10 he still plans to return to the trail at some point, though with more caution. Richard King, a nearby resident who heard Hixon's screams, helped wash the wounds and drove him to get medical care.
Hixon is still recovering, but he is trying to keep an optimistic perspective after the frightening attack.
"I'm retired," he said. "It's not like I'm going to lose work from this, so if it had to attack somebody, you know, I'm glad it wasn't some little kid that, you know, would be scarred or something."
Where can I learn more?
Aggressive raccoon encounters are not limited to one Rhode Island trail. Incidents elsewhere have shown how quickly odd behavior can turn serious, echoing the warning officials gave after Hixon's attack: keep your distance, never feed wildlife, and treat erratic behavior as a real public safety risk.
• In Ridgewood, officials considered rabies pellets after two daytime attacks raised alarm.
• At one home, 100 raccoons surrounded the property after repeated feeding spiraled out of control.
• On a homeowner's porch, raccoons tried to walk inside during a risky close encounter.
Hixon's story shows that unusually bold raccoon behavior can become dangerous even in familiar places.
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