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AIBU?

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Original poster

To leave some food out for the fox in our garden.

407 replies

MrsMotherHen · 25/02/2018 15:23

We have a fox that frequents our garden last few occasions hes been out in the day and DH has just seen him sunbathing on the patio. We are not rural but live about 50m away from the beach front along a promenade with a park quite close.

To leave some food out for the fox in our garden.
OP posts:
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5
TheRedHatofPatFerrick · 27/02/2018 10:40

Our neighbour did this and the foxes then use our garden as their toilet which was not nice.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 10:40

For all those doubting that foxes attack small children/babies. Links below to a few different incidents:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21399709

www.thesun.co.uk/news/5577199/fox-attack-baby-seven-months-bit-bouncer-injuries/

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/children/11216320/Toddler-rushed-to-hospital-in-fox-attack.html

I grew up on a small farm and we regularly had our hens killed, not to mention the the odd lamb too by foxes. They don't just kill one hen either, if they get into a coup, they'll kill all of them. The night time coup was as secure as we could make it, but the foxes still got in.

I don't hate foxes but they are WILD animals and they are hunters. I think they should be treated with caution and not encouraged into people's homes and back gardens because they look 'cute'.

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 10:43

Margot, pleasedo read the thread. Everything you mentioned has been covered and explained, multiple times.

MichaelBendfaster · 27/02/2018 13:12

The main reason you shouldn't feed foxes IMO is that it does wild animals no favours to be made tame. If the fox hangs around one area enough that it becomes a nuisance to neighbours etc there is every likelihood of it being trapped or even poisoned. Or, if it loses its natural fear of human contact, it could easily be hurt by a less decent person.

I agree with this. While I enjoy seeing the foxes in my garden, that's why I don't and wouldn't feed them.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 14:00

It seemed to still be in doubt for some people Harriet.

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 14:13

I'm incredibly doubtful a fox carried out any attacks on babies or young children, yes.

Mintylemons · 27/02/2018 14:21

I’ve read the thread. Are people saying those attacks on children didn’t happen then? That it was made up? I can’t see the explanation. Sorry if I’m being blind.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 14:25

Minty some posters believe that foxes were not responsible for the reported attacks on babies and children - yes.

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 14:26

Just because they say it was a fox it doesn't mean it's true. The emergency services nor the RSPCA confirmed any fox attacks.

As I said, a fox in the area that people deem to be a nuisance makes a very convenient scapegoat for a family dog or cat lashing out at a small child.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 14:36

Lewisham Council has some good advice for urban householders and foxes: www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/environment/animalwelfare/Documents/FoxInformationAdvice.pdf

It is not sensational, but does cover all the issues: feeding, fouling, noise, digging, caching food, securing domestic pets, likelihood of attack and so on.

Raybon · 27/02/2018 15:02

It's a bit strange that people don't believe the fox attack stories! I've been bitten by a badger, so I wouldn't think a fox is above biting humans if they felt threatened in some way.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 15:11

I've been bitten by a rabbit, so would have to agree Raybon!

Raybon · 27/02/2018 15:14

Yes I've been bitten by a rabbit too! And a snake! Grin

Confusedbeetle · 27/02/2018 15:16

What are you MAD? Urban foxes are not afraid of people thats why they have become dangerous. They are less dangerous to prople in the country. YES YES YES they have got in houses , bitten babies . I live in the country but even here two of my cats have been attacked by foxes. Back leg bitten off, pelvis crushed, One eaten. Look at some of the London reports. The animal do gooders abused a poor woman whose baby twins were bitten, there was photo evidence but no pretty animals are so innocent. If it was an ugly rat you wouldnt encourage it, We humans are pretty shallow

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 15:20

There was photo evidence of a bite, yes.

Some people just like to get on the fox-hysteria bandwagon, to be honest.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 15:24

Harriet, why is it hysteria to be cautious about a wild animal and believe that it may bite people? Seems like common sense to me.

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 15:26

Of course it's sensible l! That's not what I meant. I just mean there's a huge amount of unnecessary hysteria around an animal that mostly is just trying to live alongside us without posing any threat. You don't like foxes? Fine, no one cares as long as you don't harm them. But at least educate yourself on a few facts and don't just label things you don't understand as 'vermin'.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 15:30

Harriet here did I say a fox was vermin? Where did I say I'd harmed any. I've talked about my own direct experience with foxes eating hens & lambs on our farm growing up. I've said they are wild animals that hunt to eat and that I don't think feeding them is a good idea.

I haven't even said I don't like foxes. I think I have a healthy respect for them, in the same way I do for other wild animals.

I've also linked to some very sensible Local Authority advice for urban dwellers. I feel very well educated thank you!!!!

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 15:31

There are other people on this thread, Margot, not everything I write is actually directed at you.

MargoLovebutter · 27/02/2018 15:34

Fair enough Harriet - easy to misinterpret these things when one post follows another.

poobumwee · 27/02/2018 15:36

I wouldn;t feed him, but I would enjoy watching him with the kids (from inside the house) if he is out in the garden!

HarrietKettle · 27/02/2018 15:36

Yes, I apologise if you felt I was personally direct things at you, but there definitely had been a huge amount of misconception on this thread from various other posters. A healthy respect for wild animals is of course all anyone can ask! Not everyone shares that, sadly.

derxa · 27/02/2018 15:39

Hi op we have foxes all year round in our garden and we usually buy an extra chicken to cook and throw out for them every Sunday. I despair.

Jayne35 · 27/02/2018 15:41

No don't feed it OP, I live in overrun area. Two-three gardens in our street have been left to overgrow and in the morning the foxes go back into these gardens - one of those neighbours feeds them. We have had one sunning itself on the patio while we were at the other end of the garden having a BBQ!! When my dog eventually noticed and chased it left.

Their shit is godawful (my dog will roll in it if she finds any) and they are full of fleas.

Jayne35 · 27/02/2018 15:43

Hi op we have foxes all year round in our garden and we usually buy an extra chicken to cook and throw out for them every Sunday.

I am not fond of foxes but I'm pretty sure they aren't supposed to eat cooked meat.