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Unusual attack on grade-schooler in Connecticut

A second-grade boy was among four people attacked by a fox at or near a school in East Windsor, Connecticut on Monday, CBS Hartford affiliate WFSB-TV reports.

Second grader Evan Witzke was bitten by the fox when the animal came out of the woods near Broad Brook Elementary School just before 11:30 a.m., police said.

"It bit my ankle first and then it bit my wrist," Witzke said. "We were having gym outside and we were playing this game and I was running around and this fox just came out after me."

Without hesitation, his physical education teacher, Elissa Daniele, sprang into action and ripped the of off him.

"I noticed a fox begin to go after a student and I thought, 'Oh no, that's not going to happen,"' Daniele said.

She was able to hold the fox down and direct students inside to safety. Other school staffers were able to grab and place the animal in a recyclables container, but she and another staff member were bitten.

All three were treated at the school, then transported to an area hospital.

"Oh yeah, it hurt. It hurt a lot," Daniele said. "That's my student. I would do anything for my students so I had to do it. I didn't want that fox to hurt anyone."

Students were immediately brought inside the building. Officials didn't let students outside for the rest of the school day.

Counseling was made available for any student who saw the incident.

Evan's father, Craig Witzke said he is eternally grateful for the selfless acts of all of the teachers, especially Daniele.

"I cannot say enough great things about her and other staff there. I am very appreciative of what happened," Craig Witzke said.

The first attack took place just after 10 a.m. when a homeowner was bitten after walking outside, onto a porch.

The fox was able to run away and wasn't found by authorities. Police said the homeowner was treated and taken to a local hospital.

Police came to the school where they "dispatched the fox," which was taken to the State of Connecticut Laboratory for additional testing.

Since Mill Street is close to Broad Brook Elementary School, police said they believe the fox in the school attack is the same one as the one in the Mill Street attack.

"It's frightening. It's really scary," parent Jennifer Vangasbeck said. "You know, these are your babies. You send them to school thinking they'll be safe."

Parents told WFSB they're shocked that this could happen during the school day and want the school district to take action to prevent it from recurring.

"I think there should be some fence put up so this doesn't happen again," said parent Liz Powell, of East Windsor. "This is a terrible incident."

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