Invite Wild Animals into Your Garden Then YOU Assume Responsibility

 

There has been a report of a fox biting a domestic cat's tail> I am still somewhat dubious on how this has been reported but labelling it a "fox attack" is suspect to a degree.

This is what I posted on the group:

"We do not know the circumstances other than what we have been told and I think a lot of people are reacting badly to this. Cats are normally the aggressors in 99.9% of interactions with foxes.

We do not know what happened leading up to the alleged "attack" -unless you see an animal stalk and then launch an attack seeing the aftermath is not evidence of attack.

People are drawing WILD canids into their gardens, hand feeding them, trying to coax them into kitchens and homes and we have all seen this on videos in groups. This fox has now been labelled a "pest" and predator.

Will the other fox feeders in the street now panic? Will they decide that the "pest" needs to be taken out for the safety of pets? How do you know which fox is which and WHO is going to "remove" this fox?

Remember that it is currently fox dispersal and mating time so you will see new foxes turn up (some released by rescues) and YOU are inviting them into your gardens and feeding them when there are plenty of rats and mice about for them not to mention insects.

You have every right to feel uncomfortable with a post like this on a "fox lovers" group because if you are feeding foxes to attract them you are altering their natural behaviour. Mr and Mrs Fox do not sit under a mushroom having tea and biscuits with Mr and Mrs Ratty. They are wild animals.

If the fox in question here is coming back during the day time then it is perfect to try to humanely trap and relocate. I've given the link to Fox-a-Gon so let them do their work but remember: if you feed and encourage wild animals to come into your garden, if you try hand feeding wild animals or encourage wild animals into your homes then YOU are the person responsible for anything that goes wrong.

Hopefully in this case the fox is caught and relocated and does not end up as a "bit of fun and an earner" for pest controllers.

We are now at the point where local authorities monitor such reports and decide on action."