3 Westfield children bitten by possibly rabid fox

WESTFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Three young children from Westfield are undergoing treatment for rabies after being bitten by a fox.

Authorities say the children, ages 2, 6, and 7, were playing outside Monday when the fox approached them and bit them through their pants, causing minor scrapes to their legs.

Animal Control Officer Kenneth Fraser said the mother of the children beat the fox off with a leaf blower.

He says it's unclear whether the fox had rabies, but because of its behavior, it likely has the disease.

He's urging parents to keep a close eye on their children while he searches for the fox, which may already be dead.