Groundhog rampage sends New Hampshire man fleeing

HAMPTON, N.H. - A rodent went on a rampage in Hampton, New Hampshire Tuesday morning.

Gary McGrath said he was in the backyard of his home on Little River Road when "a furry little fuzzball" came after him, reports CBS Boston.

The fuzzball, also called a groundhog or woodchuck, ran up to McGrath's foot. He said he give it a light tap. It ran after him again and he kicked it again.

McGrath said he went into the garage and the rodent went in the front of the building and chased after him again. The groundhog then ran after McGrath as he went to his house. McGrath captured several pictures of the animal trying to claw through the front glass door.

What he found out later is the groundhog paid his neighbor a visit a few hours earlier.

Kevin Bowersox was getting ready for work when he saw the animal chasing his 105-pound Sheepdog in the backyard.

Bowersox says he went out to quiet the dog and the groundhog chased him into the house and then ran after the dog again. He said at the time he thought Murphy, the dog, had disturbed the animal.

McGrath said he has no doubt the groundhog was rabid.

He called animal control and they took care of the animal.

"I was very fortunate that when he first came up to me, he didn't grab me," said McGrath. "I'm glad I saw him."

McGrath is a woodworker. Since no one was hurt, he said his friends are already making sure he doesn't forget, coming up with phrases like - how much wood would a woodworker chuck if a woodchuck would chuck a woodworker.

Both men said they haven't seen other animals behaving strangely, but they will now be more cautious.