Rash of squirrel attacks in Marin County prompt warning

This photo provided by Wild Birds Unlimited shows a squirrel attempting to eat bird seed on an Eliminator, a squirrel-proof bird feeder. It protects your bird seed from persistent squirrels by technology registering sensitivity set by the owner, that closes the seed ports based on weight of the intruder standing on the perch ring. (AP Photo/Wild Birds Unlimited) less This photo provided by Wild Birds Unlimited shows a squirrel attempting to eat bird seed on an Eliminator, a squirrel-proof bird feeder. It protects your bird seed from persistent squirrels by technology ... more Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Rash of squirrel attacks in Marin County prompt warning 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

There are plenty of things to be scared of in this world: terrorism and natural disasters to name a few. But residents of Marin County have to add squirrels to the list after the ferocious rodents have jumped on and bitten eight people in recent weeks.

The rampaging rodents prompted county health officials to issue a warning this week about the rash of bizarre attacks.

The incidents differ in specifics, but all have occurred near the intersection of Sutro Avenue and Vineyard Road in Novato over the last two and a half weeks, according to the Marin Humane Society

“The attacks are described as a squirrel suddenly running up to the victims, crawling up their bodies, and biting them in various areas,” the humane society said in a statement, noting that victims have suffered injuries to their hands, arms, legs and head. At least eight people have been injured, with one requiring a trip to the emergency room.

Residents of the Novato area will want to keep their heads on a swivel as not all of the attacks have come from below.

“There have also been reported instances in which squirrels have jumped out of trees and attacked the victims,” the humane society said.

Last month, a squirrel ran into a classroom at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, about a block from where the other attacks have occurred. Once inside, the rodent bit a student and teacher before fleeing the scene into an open space near the school, according to a report from KPIX.

If the thought of an unprovoked squirrel attack doesn’t scare you enough to make you stay inside forever, let’s not forget that a pack of at least a dozen raccoons rushed an Irish couple who were out walking their dogs in San Francisco in November, one of two similar encounters in the city’s Richmond district this year.

The dogs were injured, but were expected to survive, and the woman had to receive a rabies shot.

The humane society, the county Department of Health and Human Services, and WildCare, an animal care provider, are investigating the string of attacks in Novato and think they are likely all attributable to the same exceedingly angry varmint, though they have not released a suspect description in the attacks.

Officials also noted that rabies in squirrels is very rare, but all of the victims are receiving anti-rabies medication as a precaution. Investigators suspect the offending rodent was once domesticated and lost its natural fear of humans. The humane society cautioned people never to feed wild animals, which is prohibited in Marin County.

The humane society also said homeowners can make their yards less attractive to rodents by cutting back trees that overhang roofs, blocking potential entrance sites to their homes and removing bird feeders.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale