Officials are urging citizens to be wary of stray and wild animals in their neighborhoods following a wave of reports of aggressive behavior by foxes and raccoons in some areas.

Rabies, as well as canine distemper, have been confirmed in some wild species in the past week, and a raccoon menaced a group of children in Pawtucket Saturday before two adults came to the rescue. The raccoon later tested positive for rabies.

`` We've had a lot of reports from residents of animals acting aggressively,'' said John Holmes, animal control officer in Pawtucket, who said the incidents stretch from East Providence, R.I., to the Attleboro line.