Do Anybody Feed Wild Foxes In Their Gardens?

[HoneyKats]

Is it right to feed foxes in gardens? Has anybody have neighbours who feed foxes in their gardens upsetting other neighbours and leaving disgusting messes also encouraging Vermin!!!

[237SJ]

I don`t feed the foxes because I don`t want to encourage them. There`s no place for them in an urban environment IMO Their place is in the countryside, keeping the rabbit population down.

[DTCwordfan]

they aren't doing that very well down here as to knocking off the Bugs Bunnies, now they are pests and everywhere.

[Gusssss]

"Foxes do not pose a threat to people, or cats and dogs. High profile cases of fox attacks are extremely rare and have usually been later discredited. Foxes will, however, kill natural prey creatures such as birds and small mammals like rabbits, rodents and guinea pigs if given the chance."

So they do pose a threat then, after saying they didn't.

Quote an unattributed article on a general tradesperson website and expect everybody to take it as gospel.

[237SJ]

Probably because they have all moved to the towns DT (because people feed them)

[wolf63]

Cats will kill anything small and tasty - maybe we should eradicate them too

[Answerprancer]

I thought they'd moved into towns mainly because people are indiscriminate about how they dispose of their food waste hence overturned dustbins etc.

[237SJ]

Seriously though, when I lived in N Devon the foxes that I saw around the fields were fine looking creatures. Very ginger, with white fluffy inside ears. Lots of food around for them too. Here in an urban area, the foxes look unhealthy, mangy looking things. They`re skinny, with brown rather than ginger flattened coats and don`t look too good at all. We had a half blind one that was staggering around a couple of summers ago. It tried to get into my living room (I think because it wasn`t sure where it was going due to it`s eyesight). In the wild, an animal like that would have died off but in an urban environment, it`s misery was prolonged.

[Gusssss]

You might just as well take your advice from this rag: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2276698/Fox-attack-If-disease-ridden-vermin-KILL-child-time-blame-fools-think-theyre-cuddly.html

or more advisedly:

http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/webcontent/home/services/environment/animal+welfare+and+pest+control/es-urbanfoxes

"We would like to stress the advice to members of the public to refrain from feeding foxes.

It is very important that no attempt is made to try to tame foxes, to encourage them to feed from the hand or to encourage them close or into houses using food.

This is not fair on the foxes and is only likely to cause problems later for people and the foxes themselves. Urban foxes are wild animals and should be treated as such."

Which only goes to show that you can find whatever you want to support your own opinion on the internet, however I reckon the latter advice will be the more generally given by people who really know what they are talking about.

[shaneystar2]

Everyone has a valid point but they can be a bloody pest .When we lived in south London we were overrun with them .We lived where the River Wandle flowed behind us and there was a big flood meadow there with loads of 'em roaming about .Then the screaming during the mating season ! My neighbour used to go over there with food for them and they get quite bold .Tearing the bin bags open etc .
I wouldn't feed them but I wouldn't hurt them .Shaney loved to roll in the fox poop and it stinks !
I now live a small town on the Norfolk coast ,countryside on the doorstep and never ever see a fox .

[gness]

Well, Baldric...we will have to remain confused as Dewing seems to have had no more success in his search for up to date information on foxes in gardens to support his comments than you and I did....x

[1mouse53]

I would think if you give them food, you would be encouraging them to stay in the area for feeding. Sounds as though they have been displaced by housing and development. I do not know the answer, but arguing is not helping. In the States we have a similar problem with coyotes, mice, rats. As their environment disappears, they have nowhere to go and hence become a problem for people. I believe any animal that is a nuisance is going to be classified as vermin. There will be an argument for and against extermination. Sometimes i think people just like to fight/argue, if not about this, then another subject.