How can I get rid of the foxes ?

[MattsMunky]

We have a few foxes living under the shed in our garden and they only used to come out when it was very late.

Since we got our little Yorkie, they've been coming out before it's starts getting dark and just sits on top of a shed watching her...


My mum's getting worried they might try to snatch her as she's only the size of a rabbit....

Any ideas of how to keep the foxes away, or anythings we can put on the sheds they might not like ? I dont mean broken glass or anything like that...


Please help :S

[jenniprice]

Mmm thats a hard one. I don't think there's any humane way of moving foxes except for scarying them off.

I understand your worry with a little dog, and a fox has had my neighbors cat so we know they go for many animals.

Best thing to do would ring RSPCA or local animal shelter for advice, but all in all they'll probably tell you to leave them there for winter.

[admarlow]

get a gun license

[4getmenot]

a blood hound

[gelda]

I have a lot do do with foxes and I can assure you they wont harm your dog more likely the other way around, they won't mistake your dog for a rabbit because animals go by smell and foxes are scared of dogs, one of my foxes was badly injured by a very young jack russel puppy and as for cats I found a 5 month old kitten living with my foxes 2 years ago. the only time a fox will attack is when someone or something threatens their young. If it is a family you've got under your shed they will soon be moving on to find a new territory they're not pack animals. They won't do you or your dog any harm so enjoy them while you can, I find them fascinating animals.

[gelda]

P.S. If they wanted to attack your dog they wouldn't be sitting on the shed watching her, they'd have attacked her by now.

[MattsMunky]

I have absolutely no problem with them, especially as there is a golden fox living there too...

My family all have tried to scare them off but they just sit there and watch us, even less than a foot away.

The reason we were worried was because of the other day, I went out into the garden and the fox was on the very corner of the shed about to ponce and I had to grab the puppy before anything happened... the fox just stayed there...

[gelda]

How does the puppy react to the fox?

[MattsMunky]

She barks but the fox isn't even slightly fazed. My mum made the mistake of feeding it so now it's used to us in the garden and isnt scared by anyone or the dogs.

[LoftyLottie]

I would worry too MattsMunky, especially now you have said that the fox looked as if she were about to pounce. They seem to have become quite tame and perhaps have also become quite territorial and see the little Yorkie as a threat.

Your first priority is obviously the Yorkie. A small yorkie puppy is no match for a fox. Actually a fox took my blind cat one very harsh winter years ago when the snow had been around for weeks and food was obviously scarce. It is not that common for foxes to take domestic cats and dogs but it does happen.

Have a word with your local council initially to see what they would advise. Personally, I would block them from getting under the shed to give them time to find somewhere else before the winter sets it - and I would definitely stop feeding them. They are canny creatures they will soon find other sources of food and cope.

[Kleiber]

Sorry, guys, but I'd agree with the gun solution.