Urban foxes are a threat to pets — claim
A Dundee woman has said urban foxes are terrorising pets in the Downfield area.
After reading this article, Carnoustie reader Jim Shepherd sent us these photos showing a cat scaring off a fox in his garden. He says, 'These photos would suggest that foxes are no threat to cats.'
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 29.01.11
- Published online : 29.01.11 @ 06.30am
Peggy George said residents in the area are now more likely to see a fox than a cat prowling the streets — and urged Dundee City Council to do more to curb their population.
She was speaking after a Fife vet found himself targeted by members of the anti-hunting group Urban Fox Defenders for killing two foxes that had killed his parents' cat.
Keith Talbot, who works at the Eden Veterinary Practice in Cupar, has denied he was boasting when he went on Fieldsports Channel TV to describe how he captured and humanely killed the animal.
However, Mrs George has defended the vet and said the animals pose a real risk to pets in the area.
She said, "If the protesters could hear a cat screaming when it is being eaten by a fox they might change their minds.
"There are two dens near here and you are more likely to see a fox walking down the road than a dog or a cat.
"You see them out in the morning and at night. I've phoned the council but they have said there is nothing they can do about them."
Complaints
A council spokesman said they have received 27 complaints about urban foxes over the last six months.
He added that sightings are not confined to any one particular area but that anyone with concerns should visit the council's pest control department website.
It states, "Controlling urban foxes is difficult, expensive and rarely successful.
"The problem is that foxes have been in urban areas for so long that they have reached a state of equilibrium and regulate the size of their own population.
"Not only is urban fox control unlikely to achieve anything, it is both difficult and very expensive. Shooting is obviously not acceptable in urban areas, nor is snaring so only live trapping is left."
The site also warns that trying to curb the population may do more harm than good.
According to the website, around 50% of all urban foxes die each year, mostly through being struck by cars.
It warns that breeding numbers are small and vixens have relatively small litters but if the population begins to decrease rapidly, the number of breeding vixens increases to compensate.
This can also lead to new foxes trying to move into an area, increasing fights between the animals as they try to protect their territory.
UPDATE: This article prompted Courier reader Jim Shepherd, of Carnoustie, to send in pictures (above) of an encounter in his garden between a cat and a fox. Mr Shepherd, who has an infrared camera set up to record nocturnal activity, says his photos suggest foxes are no threat.
07.39am - 29.01.2011 Fox Hunting Advocate - Perth, Scotland Report This
What on earth can the Council do if all the fox hunting has been banned.<br /> What you sow so shall you reap. The only 'fox control' is by bringing back Fox Hunting as the dogs kill humanely, but by shooting the foxes they die a slow agonising death.
08.31am - 29.01.2011 Eleanor - Dundee, Scotland Report This
it's quite simple, keept you pets in overnight and make sure any kept outside are well secured, don't think there is much chance of anyone in dundee leaving their back door open, but to anyone who does please keep it closed. This way, no foxes will need to be killed, or much fewer. (cat owner)
10.07am - 29.01.2011 T. Butchers - Dundee, uk Report This
I regularly feed our foxes in the bad weather. They are a colourful addition to biodiversity. They tend to be entirely nocturnal, so it shouldn't be too difficult to keep pets safe.
10.12am - 29.01.2011 Mr Braid - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Terrorising! i think i would rather meet a fox in the middle of the night than herion users desperate for money! Animals will always come into cities for food, it's not terrorising. There is more chance of your cat being attacked by a dog
11.25am - 29.01.2011 Downfielder - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Let them be. Foxes are preferable to cats and dogs.
12.46pm - 29.01.2011 Feona Mann - dundee, city of dundee Report This
No ive not heard a cat screem when it is being eated my a fox but i have seen and heard fox cub's being chased by a pack of hound and killing them that scream is horrendous. I walk my dog's regularly around downfield for over 30 years ive never seen a fox i do know that they are in this area.
11.11am - 30.01.2011 Spacecadet73 - Forfar, Scotland Report This
Mrs George must realise these foxes are wild animals & just like her cat have the right to live & breath. She is the one who invaded their habitat. Maybe we should control cats in urban areas & make owners keep them indoors? This will stop them from digging in gardens, excreting & spreading disease!
12.33pm - 30.01.2011 anne caird - dundee, scotland Report This
re urban foxes - i live in baxter park tce and have seen both vixen and dog fox in the early hours of the morning and yest I have seen them in the street and gardens but there are normally lots of cats around the tce and I have never heard of any of them being attacked in any way
11.13pm - 30.01.2011 Tannadeechee - Dundee, UK Report This
There are some foxes near my parent's house in Barnhill. There are a few cats in the area and over the last few years none of them have had any problems. In fact one of their cats plays with the foxes!Foxes are more scared of us and the cats and dogs than we are of them
12.58am - 31.01.2011 Jim Pratt - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I walk my dog in the fields behind the "Barns of Claverhouse".<br /> Now foxes generally avoid humans, but especially dogs.My dog is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Now to look at my dog you would think she wouldn't hurt a flee ! but she has many a time spooked a fox, along with game and deer !
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