[whitby_sam]

According to rumour there have been a total of 9 Urban Foxes recently "rehomed" within 2 miles of my smallholding. Over the last few months my neighbour and I have lost a total of 40 chickens to what we think are urban foxes (they don't follow the regular paths or hunting patterns that we've become used to dealing with). Now nobody minds losing the odd chicken to a fox, that's nature and something that I can happily expect but to lose 40 in a few months (16 at once in one instance) and with some of these birds being rare breeds fetching a lot of money each, we're getting to the end of our patience.

We've tried lamping, calling and trapping but these new arrivals seem more determined and smarter (or hungrier) than your average fox. My only thought now is to try and tackle the problem at source. I'd like to contact the people who are responsible for releasing these creatures and ask them why? Surely rehoming an urban fox into the wild is cruel on the fox. They have no clue how to survive in the wild as they're used to having food left out for them. It also excasserbates an age old problem for us country folk. Since the hunting ban the fox population is already rocketing in the country without do-gooders releasing more foxes to kill (and often not even eat)our livestock which we rely on to feed our families.

Who is responsible? Why commit such a cruel act? Most urban foxes suffer from mange and haven't a clue how to survive. Who's going to pay for my chickens?

[faith0504]

gosh, i cant help you with any of your questions but reading this post has given me alot to think about, and  i will follow this as  i have chickens myself and we also have alot of trouble with foxes, we live in the middle of a laird run estate and they have alot of pheasants which have just been released, and fox kill is at a high

[Daisys Mum]

It is a problem in this area too, so far I have not lost any this year but I will never recoup what I have spent on fencing. faith0504 you are probablyluckier than most because if the estate is run for shooting then they will make a real effort to keep fox numbers down.

[shetlandpaul]

thats cruel on the foxs as well. they will be dumped in an other foxs terrotory im sure they will welcome them with open paws.
why rehome to the country they are urban foxslet them control the rats. if people stop feeding them they would not become a problem.
its a human problem and if you catch one at this act well they are a pest that threatens your stock.

[plumseverywhere]

really makes me cross this does. at our old home, the farm next door lost lambs and chickens (as well as pet bunnies) to what we believew were urban foxes literally dumped on our land. we were fairly near to the M5 and very isolated so perfect territory for some illicit dumping 
no idea how or why anyone would see it as a good idea - do gooders as you say, but do gooders who are ill informed and not familiar with how foxes live, operate or mingle.

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

Apparently it used to happen a few hundred yards from where we now live, so the story goes an RSPCA van used to pull up in the lay-by at night and release the urban foxes.

So that is your first port of call I suggest.

Thanks

[faith0504]

daisys mum yes your right i suppose we are luckier than most, i do know that the gamekeeper has really had his work cut out this summer though as the foxes seem harder to catch, we have had 2 dog foxes and a vixen in a wood 3oo yds from the house all summer they have eluded every attempt to be caught up to now,
something does need to be done about this prob

[fizzgigg]

just a thought but if you go to http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/ some of the lads on here are very well equipped and experienced at removing foxes and usually jump at the chance most of these lads are good lads and really know their stuff good luck hope u manage to get on top of em

[Pony-n-trap]

We live on part of a Country Estate, also, right on one of the pheasant shoot drives, the gamekeeper lives just down the hill.  Foxes are kept to a minimum, thankfully, so are cats, feral cats, I havent told my neighbour as she is a cat lover and thinks all cats have the right to kill every songbird they see, havent told her the hounds know exactly where to hunt for cat and foxes!!!! 

[daddymatty82]

hunting with hounds is a good site aswell  they love a good fox

[Mickyork]

According to some of the locals there is a spot not too far from me that is sometimes used to release foxes. I have shot 3 this year already.
I have no chickens yet but I won't take any chances. If there is any sign of a fox around I WILL despatch it before it has a chance to become a problem.

[smiffy]

definatly the rspca...they used to do it near my mums, the foxes were literally starving to death, cos they had no idea how to hunt. my dad caught and shot ten in a fortnight, many of them in a dreadful condition.
it is cruel to trap urban foxes and release them in to the countryside.

urban fox rescues, always realease foxes either were they are caught or as near as, never in to countryside, were they have no idea how to hunt and survive

[northfifeduckling]

I don't understand why they don't put them down humanely. That's what they do to stray dogs they can't find a home for! Putting them in the country is creating stray foxes, thanks a lot....

[whitby_sam]

My thoughts entirely! I've been told that it's illegal to release a trapped fox. Is this true? If so, why is it ok for the RSPCA to do it?

[Sharondp]

Would be good to highlight this problem to the media - try and stop it happening. Anyone got John Craven's number?
Seriously though - they think they are doing the foxes a favour when all they are doing is causing the foxes and us country folk misery!