Foxes in Garden - who is responsible

apw99 · 08-06-2011 4:30pm #1

Hi all - have a problem with 6 foxes living in the back gardens in a suburban area. This is an old estate so there are large dis-used gardens where they live. One house has two very young babies and i'm worried about their safety. there are 6 foxes and they come to within feet of the back door. They bask in the sunshine on top of the garden sheds in the mornings (not today mind you!).
Also the pensioner next door has been growing veg for FIFTY years straight and is demented with the foxes destroying his garden.
I rang the CIty Council and they say it's the HSE. The HSE have a pest control dept for rats, mice and insects. Today they tell me they don't do foxes. My view is foxes are pests, they are dangerous (several attacks have heppened in the UK), they are rampent at the moment and I can't see how the HSE can deny responsibility.

Has anyone else been up this road before I go on my campaign to get this resolved?

Thanks
APW

Traonach · 08-06-2011 5:49pm

apw99 wrote: »

Hi all - have a problem with 6 foxes living in the back gardens in a suburban area. This is an old estate so there are large dis-used gardens where they live. One house has two very young babies and i'm worried about their safety. there are 6 foxes and they come to within feet of the back door. They bask in the sunshine on top of the garden sheds in the mornings (not today mind you!).
Also the pensioner next door has been growing veg for FIFTY years straight and is demented with the foxes destroying his garden.
I rang the CIty Council and they say it's the HSE. The HSE have a pest control dept for rats, mice and insects. Today they tell me they don't do foxes. My view is foxes are pests, they are dangerous (several attacks have heppened in the UK), they are rampent at the moment and I can't see how the HSE can deny responsibility.

Has anyone else been up this road before I go on my campaign to get this resolved?

Thanks
APW

Foxes aren't dangerous to people. The media reports for the Uk were nothing more than overhyped rubbish which played to gullible people. The foxes have a right to exist as well.

What do you want HSE to do? Eradicate foxes from the country???
Chill.............

Cabaal · 08-06-2011 6:59pm

My view is cats are pests because they are constantly soiling my garden but then I doubt the HSE will catch them all for me

tricky D · 08-06-2011 7:09pm

apw99 wrote: »

My view is foxes are pests, they are dangerous (several attacks have heppened in the UK), they are rampent at the moment and I can't see how the HSE can deny responsibility.

About 2 attacks over 6/7 years and no one died, classic overhyped tabloid fearmongering.

The number of people who die each year from the likes of bee stings, dog attacks and the like would be far more worrying.

http://www.thefoxwebsite.org/urbanfoxes/urbanconflict.html#q6

planetX · 08-06-2011 7:39pm

They hunt rats. If you manage to have them killed, I wish a plague of rats on you;)

brian_t · 08-06-2011 11:19pm

An interesting article about Urban Foxes from an Irish perspective can be found here http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/factsheets/fox/index.html

apw99 · 10-06-2011 12:01pm

Everyone has their view on foxes, no problem with that, and I think most people don't have a problem with foxes, so long as they are in someone elses property, destroyong someone elses hard work, being a (very remote) threat to someone elses kids or whatever. So if the HSE want to eradicate foxes from the county I am not too bothered either way. Chilled? yes, very chilled..sick of pests..yes I am that too. Some useful articles there folks, thanks for that.
Oh BTW - checked yesterday and there are now EIGHT foxes.

johngalway · 10-06-2011 2:26pm

Live catch cage trap will likely catch suburban foxes. Don't know where you are, or if there are any gunclubs near you but they may have one. Decent pest controller should have one. The problem then is one of dispatch or removal for dispatch.

vicwatson · 10-06-2011 5:00pm

Foxes aren't dangerous to people. The media reports for the Uk were nothing more than overhyped rubbish which played to gullible people. The foxes have a right to exist as well.

What?:eek:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10251349

brian_t · 10-06-2011 5:35pm

apw99 wrote: »

Everyone has their view on foxes, no problem with that, and I think most people don't have a problem with foxes, so long as they are in someone elses property.

I like foxes. I think they have a lovely colour but they are wild feral animals and I wouldn't want them living in my garden.

touts · 10-06-2011 6:06pm

apw99 wrote: »

Hi all - have a problem with 6 foxes living in the back gardens in a suburban area. This is an old estate so there are large dis-used gardens where they live. One house has two very young babies and i'm worried about their safety. there are 6 foxes and they come to within feet of the back door. They bask in the sunshine on top of the garden sheds in the mornings (not today mind you!).
Also the pensioner next door has been growing veg for FIFTY years straight and is demented with the foxes destroying his garden.
I rang the CIty Council and they say it's the HSE. The HSE have a pest control dept for rats, mice and insects. Today they tell me they don't do foxes. My view is foxes are pests, they are dangerous (several attacks have heppened in the UK), they are rampent at the moment and I can't see how the HSE can deny responsibility.

Has anyone else been up this road before I go on my campaign to get this resolved?

Thanks
APW

I have a weed problem in my lawn I want the Dept of Agriculture to fix and does anyone know who in Coilte I should contact about getting my trees pruned. Alternatively I could realise that the state has no money and just take care of it myself.

magicbastarder · 10-06-2011 6:17pm

apw99 wrote: »

Has anyone else been up this road before I go on my campaign to get this resolved?

seriously - spare the hassle for yourself and whoever the poor sod in the HSE who would have to deal with your issue. you'll only make yourself look unreasonable.
there is no disease issue with foxes. there's bugger all safety issue. the HSE are not going to wrap you in cotton wool.

Sonnenblumen · 10-06-2011 9:44pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

seriously - spare the hassle for yourself and whoever the poor sod in the HSE who would have to deal with your issue. you'll only make yourself look unreasonable.
there is no disease issue with foxes. there's bugger all safety issue. the HSE are not going to wrap you in cotton wool.

On the contrary despite the general benign almost romantic popular view of foxes, they do suffer from various diseases some of which would be dangerous to humans. To deny any health risk is simply being naieve. They also cause plenty of damage and are a general nuisance in urban gardens.

But before the 'bleeding hearts' start accusing me of being anti-fox, I'm not, but they do not belong in urban areas.

fodda · 10-06-2011 9:57pm

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

On the contrary despite the general benign almost romantic popular view of foxes, they do suffer from various diseases some of which would be dangerous to humans. To deny any health risk is simply being naieve. They also cause plenty of damage and are a general nuisance in urban gardens.

But before the 'bleeding hearts' start accusing me of being anti-fox, I'm not, but they do not belong in urban areas.

Sonnenblumen they have adapted to living in towns and villages for donkeys years simply because of the free food we supply in our bins and from commercial premises (takeaways). In fact you could say they are a good thing here because for sure towns, villages and cities would be over run with rats if the foxes hadnt got the food waste first.

Any animal can carry diseases which could affect humans and that especially includes the ones we eat never mind the countries wildlife. Probably all animals are more at risk from the diseases we carry and produce.

Foxes are an important link in the make up of the countries wildlife and probably do as much good as they do bad.

I am not a fox lover i hate the smelly things.......Is there a grant to get rid of them;)

mr lee · 10-06-2011 10:06pm

you need better fences,how are they getting on top of the sheds,make it as hard as possible to get into the gardens,maybe try running an electric fence around the perimeter along the top of the existing fence,you can buy a small battery operated electric fence for handy money,once they shock from the fence they stay away and it wouldnt have to be left on all the time

Traonach · 11-06-2011 8:11pm

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

On the contrary despite the general benign almost romantic popular view of foxes, they do suffer from various diseases some of which would be dangerous to humans. To deny any health risk is simply being naieve. They also cause plenty of damage and are a general nuisance in urban gardens.

But before the 'bleeding hearts' start accusing me of being anti-fox, I'm not, but they do not belong in urban areas.

What are the major zoonotic disease that foxes give to people in Ireland???
You are scaremongering Sunflower.....

greenart · 12-06-2011 10:33am

brian_t wrote: »

An interesting article about Urban Foxes from an Irish perspective can be found here http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/factsheets/fox/index.html

Very interesting article Brian, thanks for posting! well worth the read, may change a few peoples view on urban foxes

yossor · 12-06-2011 11:25am

female fox living in field at the back of my house. She has her second batch of cubs now. prior to her arrival rabbits were a plaque and made gardening a night mare. not to many rabbits around now.

APW if the foxes are a problem for you you need to take action yourself. I think expecting the HSE, the council etc to sort it is a waste of time.

Fencing or call in a pest control firm as suggested already are your best options

Sonnenblumen · 14-06-2011 3:20pm

brian_t wrote: »

An interesting article about Urban Foxes from an Irish perspective can be found here http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/factsheets/fox/index.html

Of coure the same Mooney believes rats are lovely creatures and cannot understand why so many Irish people fear/hate them!

magicbastarder · 14-06-2011 3:26pm

the same mooney didn't write the article in the link though.

Sonnenblumen · 14-06-2011 3:35pm

Traonach wrote: »

What are the major zoonotic disease that foxes give to people in Ireland???
You are scaremongering Sunflower.....

Are you a VET, if yes, then you should know that zoonotic diseases infect humans through several routes. Foxes like other wild animals prey on infected rodents, can spread diseases to humans.

I suspect you are not a vet, in which case, enjoy your Disney world of foxes.

fodda · 14-06-2011 4:44pm

I just looked on wiki cause like most people i dont know what a zoonotic disease is. I think it means one that people can get from some other thing. Wiki also lists the animals and insects which can infect you with a zoonotic disease and there are many all of which you will come in to contact with many times a day such as a housefly for instance:eek::eek::eek:

So in reality a fox is no more dangerous than a bluebottle Sonnenblumen?

Sonnenblumen · 14-06-2011 5:32pm

fodda wrote: »

I just looked on wiki cause like most people i dont know what a zoonotic disease is. I think it means one that people can get from some other thing. Wiki also lists the animals and insects which can infect you with a zoonotic disease and there are many all of which you will come in to contact with many times a day such as a housefly for instance:eek::eek::eek:

So in reality a fox is no more dangerous than a bluebottle Sonnenblumen?

What a stupid conclusion, I suggest you keep digging.:(

Sonnenblumen · 14-06-2011 5:33pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

the same mooney didn't write the article in the link though.

OMG, you mean there's more than one?:eek::p

Traonach · 14-06-2011 5:57pm

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Are you a VET, if yes, then you should know that zoonotic diseases infect humans through several routes. Foxes like other wild animals prey on infected rodents, can spread diseases to humans.

I suspect you are not a vet, in which case, enjoy your Disney world of foxes.

You didn't answer my question???????

fodda · 14-06-2011 5:58pm

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

What a stupid conclusion, I suggest you keep digging.:(

Yes i suppose so, (was supposed to be a joke) but you bought the infectious diseases up and they carry no more or worse diseases than any other animal that can infect us.

greenart · 14-06-2011 7:04pm

Heres an interesting article on the so called diseases and dangers of foxes to ease a few peoples minds. http://www.foxproject.org.uk/

John Mason · 15-06-2011 1:35pm

oh, i would love them in my garden, they would save me a fortune on rat killer and helpful would keep the cats away

Nonmonotonic · 15-06-2011 2:51pm

Looks like you'll have to put the dog down as well.

magicbastarder · 15-06-2011 2:54pm

i caught swine flu from my girlfriend. i rang the HSE about having her culled, but they said it was not their problem.

Tiffy6666 · 15-06-2011 4:58pm

Listen I have had foxes in my garden for years, and they're not evil little pests, I actually think they're quite pretty. Listen, about the attacks in the UK those are all really exaggerated. I doubt that you would be silly enough to leave your kitchen window open, especially since they've already come so close...

Sonnenblumen · 15-06-2011 5:09pm

Tiffy6666 wrote: »

Listen I have had foxes in my garden for years, and they're not evil little pests, I actually think they're quite pretty. Listen, about the attacks in the UK those are all really exaggerated. I doubt that you would be silly enough to leave your kitchen window open, especially since they've already come so close...

Well if they are 'quite pretty' why would it be silly to leave your kitchen window open?

Tiffy6666 · 15-06-2011 5:26pm

No the child who was attacked by a fox it was because his parents left the kitchen window open... It had nothing to do with the fact that I thought the fox was pretty hence the sentence about the attacks seperating the sentence about the fox being pretty and that of the window. Get it?

Sonnenblumen · 15-06-2011 9:48pm

Tiffy6666 wrote: »

No the child who was attacked by a fox it was because his parents left the kitchen window open... It had nothing to do with the fact that I thought the fox was pretty hence the sentence about the attacks seperating the sentence about the fox being pretty and that of the window. Get it?

Let me see if I get it, the silly parents of a young baby left a kitchen window open allowing the 'pretty fox' to enter and attack a young baby? Oh yes, now I get it it, the 'pretty fox' didn't behave like a 'pretty fox' and the parents are to blame!:(

Nonmonotonic · 16-06-2011 10:06am

I take it you dont like foxes, then?
I feel the same about pigeons. Wonder could I get the HSE on the case?

magicbastarder · 16-06-2011 11:06am

can you eat urban pigeons?

Nonmonotonic · 16-06-2011 11:18am

Mine are the rural organic variety however the neighbours might have a issue with me in the back garden with a shotgun! The downside of poisoning them is that it taints the meat.

Traonach · 16-06-2011 5:41pm

Nonmonotonic wrote: »

Mine are the rural organic variety however the neighbours might have a issue with me in the back garden with a shotgun! The downside of poisoning them is that it taints the meat.

The downside of poisoning is that it's illegal to poison birds in the Republic of Ireland (all species). Leaving poison out leads to non-target birds been affected.

Nonmonotonic · 16-06-2011 7:21pm

So its the HSE then.

billyhead · 05-05-2023 4:05pm

Hi. Does anyone know if it's the HSE who you should call about foxes in the garden? My Mum has a fox that constantly visits her garden and probably is carrying diseases. Would the HSE or Council do anything or is it a waste of time contacting them? I also painted her garden wall and the fecker keeps dirtying it when he climbs it although that's a minor issue:)

Dial Hard · 05-05-2023 4:24pm

12 years later and people are still clutching their pearls about marauding disease-ridden foxes. Jesus wept.

Lewis_Benson · 05-05-2023 4:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/72779696#Comment_72779696

Foxes won't come around where there are cats.

In fact a cat will warn off a fox if anything.

Edit:

Bah, 12 year old thread.

Discodog · 05-05-2023 4:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120559577#Comment_120559577

It will continue. There will always be a ready supply of ignorant people.

SuperBowserWorld · 05-05-2023 4:39pm

Would ya just look at these foxes ...

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65429434

magicbastarder · 05-05-2023 6:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120559495#Comment_120559495

unless she's keeping chickens, is it doing any harm? foxes are all over cities, i've never heard of any issues with them passing diseases to humans.

Jim_Hodge · 05-05-2023 6:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120559495#Comment_120559495

Neither will do anything, and rightly so. There's no disease. Relax.

celticbhoy27 · 05-05-2023 6:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120559612#Comment_120559612

I've two cats, also have foxes that visit @night. They don't seem to bother each other

looksee · 05-05-2023 6:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120560018#Comment_120560018

Likewise. Well it was the case, one of the kitties is sadly no longer with us and the fact that both are/were 17 meant they didn't do much marauding. Also have visiting fox. And a badger, I think.

Baasterd · 05-05-2023 6:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120559612#Comment_120559612

Can't speak for your foxes but we have two cats and a resident fox family, they timeshare it seem's with the fox around between 3-5am and occasionally early in the evening. One cat has chased the fox on occasion but otherwise they co-exist, dog family after all I guess.

My main issue with the foxes are they piss and shite everywhere, they are not too bad with digging but can make a mess on occasion. I'd prefer to be rid of them but I found grey squirrels and rats to be a much greater pest. As for them catching rats maybe in the country but we have a rat just moved in a while back and I have seen the fox wander past its burrow (or is the term rat hole ha) no interest off in search of next doors pizza or whatever.

Foxes can carry some nasty parasites but I mean so can your cat or dog, you probably have more chance of picking something up rolling around the local park/pitch than your garden tbf.

Now in the country if I had hens etc I would be out lamping the feckers, they can do some serious damage there, urban foxes like urban pigeons, kernt neighbours etc just something you have get along with I think.