San Rafael residents warned as aggressive squirrel sends victims to hospital

RESIDENTS in the Lucas Valley neighbourhood of San Rafael are on high alert following a series of unprovoked squirrel attacks, with at least two people requiring hospital treatment after the animal lunged at them

Joan Heblack described a terrifying encounter during a walk, telling local station KGO-TV: “It clamped onto my leg. The tail was flying up here. I was like, ‘Get it off me, get off me!’”

Another resident, Isabel Campoy, said she was also attacked while walking nearby. The squirrel launched itself at her face before ending up on her arm, leaving it bloodied.

Flyers have since appeared in the neighbourhood warning locals of the aggressive animal, stating that more than five people have been attacked by a “very mean squirrel” that “comes out of nowhere.”

Lisa Bloch of Marin Humane said there have been no further incidents reported since mid-September, but confirmed that if the animal resurfaces, the organisation will work with state authorities to remove it.

“We’ve seen this kind of behaviour before,” Bloch said. “It’s almost always because someone has been feeding the animal.”

She emphasised that while squirrels are not known to carry rabies, feeding wildlife can disrupt natural behaviour and lead to dangerous interactions.

San Rafael is located in Marin County, approximately 20 miles north of San Francisco. - September 25, 2025