San Francisco’s Psycho Squirrel: Should Cherokee County Be Worried?

When you think of San Francisco, you probably picture cable cars, sourdough bread, or the Golden Gate Bridge. But recently, residents of one neighborhood had something else to worry about: an aggressive squirrel that attacked at least three people before animal control officers stepped in.

According to the Associated Press, the squirrel bit and scratched multiple residents, sending at least one person to the hospital. The city’s Animal Care and Control department confirmed the unusual string of incidents and eventually captured the animal. Officials noted that while squirrels are common in urban areas, attacks on humans are rare—making this case especially memorable (and a little unsettling).

Now, here in Cherokee County, we’re no strangers to bold squirrels. They dart across Sixes Road like they own the right of way, raid bird feeders in Towne Lake, and occasionally give you that “what are you looking at?” stare in Boling Park. But so far, none have gone full San Francisco and launched a biting spree.

Still, the story is a reminder that wild animals, no matter how small or familiar, can behave unpredictably. Local wildlife experts recommend avoiding feeding squirrels directly, keeping a respectful distance, and remembering that those twitchy tails hide some very sharp teeth.

So, should Cherokee County residents panic? Should local Woodstock dads start arming themselves with leaf blowers, and kids start trading Pokémon cards for acorn-proof bike helmets. Not at all. But maybe next time you’re sipping coffee on your porch in Canton and a squirrel scampers a little too close, you’ll think twice before offering it a peanut. After all, we’d rather keep our squirrels in the “cute nuisance” category—not the “breaking news” one.