Fox problem

[CAPP0]

Our recycling bin, provided by the local council, is just an open bin with no lid. Amongst other things we recycle the dog food cans, albeit washed out first.

Mr Fox must have smelt that because one night during the week, the security light went on in the wee small hours, our two dogs went bananas, and we say the fox standing in the garden with several empty dog food tins strewn around. We've since addressed the bin issue but the fox still keeps coming back to check. Cue the dogs threatening to smash the door down if they can only get out to get at it, which wakes us up and probably the neighbours too.

Until this morning I hadn't let the dogs out - I don't want the fox killed and equally I don't want our dogs hurt, although the odds are slightly more in favour of a large male GSD and a smaller GSD crossed with some sort of killer terrier. However, today I let them out in the hope that the fox might take the hint. The big dog, still entire, scent-tracked the fox's movements all around the garden (was quite impressive to watch!) and marked his territory numerous times.

Any suggestions for how we stop the fox from coming back? I know about the lion dung thing but not sure that will be a good move when we have our own dogs present, i.e., not sure what effect it would have on them?

All useful ideas welcome, thanks!

[Mastiff]

PLEASE do not let the dogs out - don't for one minute underestimate the damage that an adult fox can do. They are extremely vicious animals with very sharp teeth and they can carry all sorts of nasty diseases. I have seen this first hand and it's not pretty.

I wont tell you what I would do with the fox.

[CAPP0]

Mastiff said:

PLEASE do not let the dogs out

Yes, I do understand, up until now I hadn't, the fox was up and away long before I'd got the door unlocked (and was quite small) so I was reasonably sure nobody was going to come to harm. I just wanted it to hear/know that there are dogs in the house/garden. But I certainly won't be putting them into a confrontational situation.

[Mastiff]

I have a pal who specialises in this sort of thing (Pest Control) and who has fox traps - but he's Surrey based so may be a bit out of the way for you?

[CAPP0]

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Pay a chap with an air rifle to make it an ex fox?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2556012/A-...

[Brads67]

Needs to be a very specialized type of air rifle for foxes.


Just get it trapped and despatched. Job done.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

CAPP0 said:

I don't want our dogs hurt, although the odds are slightly more in favour of a large male GSD and a smaller GSD crossed with some sort of killer terrier.

Are you running an official book. If the dogs are favourite, what odds are you giving on the fox. Anything above 2/1 and you can count me in.

[wijit]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

CAPP0 said:

I don't want our dogs hurt, although the odds are slightly more in favour of a large male GSD and a smaller GSD crossed with some sort of killer terrier.

Are you running an official book. If the dogs are favourite, what odds are you giving on the fox. Anything above 2/1 and you can count me in.

I've seen Foxes at work against far larger opposition too, I'd have some of this action!

[Brads67]

Unless a dog has experience of foxes keep them well clear.

Fox dogs are quite obvious from the marked up faces.

Get it trapped and despatched. Don`t bugger about with it.

[TheBALDpuma]

I accidently set a lurcher and a patterdale terrier after a fox last night. I heard a bang on my back door (French windows) so went to have a look in the garden, and the dogs came out with me and went mental - full speed acceleration across the garden, and I see the fox making his escape over the fence at the back. box dogs scented everywhere.

I am aware we have a fox and have done research into keeping him out but I think it's fairly futile. Removing the fox will be a temporary solution, as a new one will just take over the territory. You can buy some fox repellent called Scoot that is supposed to work - I bought some but haven't used it.

Perhaps consider putting your bin somewhere where the dogs aren't going to notice the fox? Eventually the fox will realise there is nothing for him and leave your bin alone.