If A Fox, like most animals, can live with three legs why kill it?

 Although I am writing this about the City and County of Bristol -home to the BBC Wildlife Unit and other noted wildlife (documentary/photographic) bodies- it applies across the UK. Until we learn to respect wildlife and treat sick and injured animals we have no right to keep shouting that big lie "We are a nation of animal lovers!"

I have not mentioned the person who reported this particular fox for privacy's sake but the situation shows why we need a wildlife care centre.

On Wednesday, 11th January the person involved asked about any recent foxes found dead in the area as two regulars to her garden had not shown up for some time. I pointed out that as it was breeding season foxes do vanish as they look for mates. I was then told of a newcomer to the garden that seemed to be missing its paw and fur along the leg. I asked whether a photograph could be obtained to shown the extent of any injury and was promised there would be an attempt to photograph it.

In the meantime the RSPCA told me that it was standard practice that any fox with a leg injury would be trapped and put down. It is also the policy of Secret World wildlife rescue to put a fox with a leg injury down. Private vets? Guess?

Yesterday, Saturday 14th January, the original poster sent me the best photo that they could obtain and I include it here:

The leg does not look bloodied (which might be a concern since the fox was reported to be in the garden for over a week) but it is clear the paw may be missing. We are waiting to see if a better photo is possible.

The fox, appears to be a vixen, seems alert and in good condition but its posture shows it is only using three legs to move about which is no problem since there are plenty of domestic dogs and foxes getting about fine with three legs. The person wrote: ""here is a picture of the injured fox not sure you can really see from the picture. He’s been sleeping in my garden & eating all the food I give him. He’ll then wander off once fed. I’ll try and get a better picture in a bit.""here is a picture of the injured fox not sure you can really see from the picture. He’s been sleeping in my garden & eating all the food I give him. He’ll then wander off once fed. I’ll try and get a better picture in a bit."

The poster was obviously concerned that if caught the fox would be put down. It is shameful that so many foxes are killed simply because it would take time and effort to bring them up to the point where they could be released but vets are, after all, businesses and unless a treated fox is going to a rescue to recuperate -put it down.

A colleague of mine tells me that the vet she uses would, if necessary, amputate the leg rather than put the fox down. Sadly the vet is too far away from Bristol. For that reason all we can do is hope that there is no infection and that the leg will heal. I do NOT want this one ending up as part of the Fox Deaths Project.

Why might it end up as part of that project? Because it is possible that the injury was caused as the fox escaped a snare. Yes, we know for a fact that degenerates out there are setting snare traps in and around Bristol -causing two deaths last year. These people do not care whether a domestic pet such as a cat is caught as if it isn't done through sheer psychopathy it is done to get a fox or badger "to order" for taxidermists and we KNOW that happens.

So will this vixen survive or become another victim of human disinterest as it is "just a fox"? That is out of our hands.

Check your local wildlife rescues that appeal for donations and, if they do not put down a fox just because it has a leg injury -support them!