The extraordinary incident happened on Tuesday morning, February 26, in the County of Ulster (new York).
Rabid Fox caused something of a stir in one of the villages, after which local residents appealed for help to the police. However, officers also experienced problems with sick animals that tried to attack them. In the end, one of the officers accidentally shot himself in the chest. From severe injury and likely death, he was saved by a bulletproof vest.
As told by local law enforcement authorities, 24-year-old police officer Ellenville arrived on a call about suspicious behavior of wild foxes. It was reported that the animal roamed the streets of the village, and behaved aggressively. The arrived patrol were instructed to assess the situation and find out how real is the threat.
24-year-old police officer Ellenville arrived on a call about suspicious behavior of wild foxes. Photo: flickr/CC/harlequeen/
However, things did not go according to plan, when the Fox, sick with rabies, chased by police officers. Officer Harold Nonover started to run away from the animal and tried to jump over a fence that was near him. During uncomplicated acrobatics the man tripped over the fence and fell to the ground. It was at this point he made an involuntary shot himself in the chest.
A bullet fired from a service weapon landed right in the vest. Fortunately, protective gear withstood the impact and saved the life of a police officer. Immediately after Nonover was on the ground, his partner opened fire on a Fox and shot the animal. The officer checked, have not suffered any Harold and quickly brought police to the hospital. Medical care Nonover not needed, and he was soon allowed to go home.
At the moment it is unknown whether law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident. However, the head of the police Ellenville noted that the presence of the bullet-proof vest the officer would have avoided the tragedy. Otherwise it could end much worse.
