A Virginia woman went through a harrowing incident earlier this week when a rabid gray fox attacked her while she was cleaning out her car.

Shirley Phillips thought the neighbor's cat was rubbing against her leg, then she looked down and realized it was a gray fox. She tried to get away when the fox latched onto her ankle, then her hand.

In desperation to get the rabid critter off of her, Shirley bit back.

"I reached and grabbed him like he would grab a cat, behind his neck, and I bit him on the ear," Phillips said.

She freaking bit the fox. She went into full survival mode.

Phillips was able at that point to get the fox off of her, she then slung the animal into her car and locked it in. Then she called the authorities.

You can watch the local news coverage here:

Shirley ended up going to the hospital and receiving 11 stitches after the attack and she's getting rabies shots as well since the animal did end up testing positive for rabies.

Shirley says she's thankful to be alive but she's asking for prayers for a full recovery.

That's one tough lady.