Fox problem

[bnz41]

Foxes, soon to be breeding pair me thinks, look to be in great condition. Are scent marking & digging up our cat's garden, what can be done? Local council say nothing can be done by them... Any advise welcome.

Cats not allowed out now.

[ovenpaa]

Well shooting them is not going to be an option in an urban garden, I would check out the local pest control people, they may licensed to trap and humanly destroy them, I doubt relocating them is an option.

[spud]

its illegal to relocate them as thay arnt a native species , snaring or live cage trapping is the only viable option pm if you want further help

[bnz41]

Pest controller quote this time last year was for - cage hire - trap fox and removal and dispatch was £400 for the first, then £100 each for anymore there after. Seemed expensive!! We did not hire him. It turned out an local older lady was feeding them, when she moved the food stopped so the foxes just passed through. We then had a new high fence put up, this seemed to stop them, (I know they can jump) now they are back causing damage.

[Robin128]

More than 50 feet from centre of nearest highway, on own land with open licence...what's stopping you?

[ovenpaa]

Pest controller quote this time last year was for - cage hire - trap fox and removal and dispatch was £400 for the first, then £100 each for anymore there after. Seemed expensive!!

The people opposite my folks have squirrels in the roof, I think Mum said they were being charged GBP60 for the trap and another 15 quid for every tree rat caught, nice work when you can get it. The pest control person shoots them on the spot and puts the trap back in place.

[bobbob]

Bnz didn't want to say too much but there has been cage and humane dispatch done in the past. Problem now is old lady died, new youngsters moved in, gardens fairly open so we would have trouble with concealing the cage.
It just means the garden will stink, fox mess and our cat who like a run about in the summer won't be able to. (She is an indoor cat so isn't one who messes in other people's gardens before that debate starts )

[ovenpaa]

I suspect a Fox would happily take an elderly cat as well, we live in the countryside and had a good size Tabby that used to keep the local rabbit and squirrel population down, we also have foxes in the area and he always came home however he was a bit of a bruiser and would happily take on large dogs as well.

Urban foxes are all very nice on TV to those that do not have them but the mess and damage they leave has to be seen to be believed. Given the recent adverse publicity the public should be more receptive to culling. Luckily our garden is very enclosed but I am confident the majority of our neighbours would support action against foxes if they got too close.

[Robin128]

Cat has had it if it can't find a tree.

Unfortunately that's nature.

I've got three cats which we bring in every night.

Fox used to get the farm cats.

[Polchraine]

A Tesco or Saisnsbury's trolley and chicken carcass can make a nice trap and no cost. 12 bore from 5M with a solid backstop will be adequate.