Urban Fox - any protection?

petermijackson

In the last few nights I have noticed a fox in the back yard of my apartment block but tonight I have also seen a suspicious man and a dog out there chasing the fox. What I want to know is, is there anybody that I can report this to? Will they care?

I assume they are trying to catch the fox for some reason but luckly they had no luck and appear to have given up for now.

Birdnuts

The Red Fox is classed as vermin and so can be legally trapped, shot and hunted with dogs.

petermijackson

Even in the city? I'm originally from country and can appreciate how they can be looked upon as vermin when they kill farm animals but in a city/urban setting there is no need for them to be hunted. This was more of a chase than a hunt if you ask me....

marlin vs

What does a suspicious man and a dog look like?

petermijackson

A man dressed in black and just hanging around a quiet garden behind the apartment. Sending his dog into corners looking for the fox

Stoner

I dont think there is anything you can do, a fox is still vermin, I like seeing them arond, but i guess that the only thing wrong about that might be that the dog if off the lead.

marlin vs

If it's you'r garden tell him to get out.

Half-cocked

petermijackson wrote: »

A man dressed in black and just hanging around a quiet garden behind the apartment. Sending his dog into corners looking for the fox

It might be his garden? He mightn't like the smell of fox! They can leave quite a strong scent. Hopefully he is just trying to scare it away rather than harm it. I've had to scare off a large cub that started sticking its nose into my kitchen when I left the patio doors open.

Itsdacraic

petermijackson wrote: »

In the last few nights I have noticed a fox in the back yard of my apartment block but tonight I have also seen a suspicious man and a dog out there chasing the fox. What I want to know is, is there anybody that I can report this to? Will they care?

I assume they are trying to catch the fox for some reason but luckly they had no luck and appear to have given up for now.

There's a big difference between a man and his dog chasing a fox, and man with his dog sniffing around a yard where a fox has been.

My dogs (A JR terrier and A community effort of a terrier) love nothing better than to get on the scent of a hare or fox. They don't have a hope of ever catching the hare but they get a great thrill out of following the scent.

cuddlycavies

Itsdacraic wrote: »

There's a big difference between a man and his dog chasing a fox, and man with his dog sniffing around a yard where a fox has been.

My dogs (A JR terrier and A community effort of a terrier) love nothing better than to get on the scent of a hare or fox. They don't have a hope of ever catching the hare but they get a great thrill out of following the scent.

Exactly. Whats the harm? Dogs like to hunt things.

CJhaughey

I'd report him to the local ranger, I am sure they would treat it with the utmost gravity.:D

OP: There is a suspicious man with a dog in the back garden of my apartment block.
NPWS: Really?
OP: I think they could be hunting an urban fox.
NPWS: Really why do you say that?#
OP: Because he is wearing black and the dog is smelling the corners of the garden where the fox might have been.
NPWS: oh, Maybe he is just enjoying the garden and allowing the dog to be a dog?

Run_to_da_hills

Next time you see this man try to get a snap shot of him and report him straight away to the Gardai.

He could be a burglar and using the fox as an alibi, he could also be carrying an illegal fire arm and his dog may not be licensed.

cuddlycavies

mmmm! He could be a killer using taking his dog a ruse for stalking his next victim. He planted the fox as a diversion. Chances are he's planted a couple of badgers too. Lock the door, dont go out and ring the cops now:)

Who? Out there has or has had a dog and enjoys giving the dog a run after a rabbit and the crack it gives him? Is an urban fox that different?

Eddy Hill

petermijackson wrote: »

In the last few nights I have noticed a fox in the back yard of my apartment block but tonight I have also seen a suspicious man and a dog out there chasing the fox. What I want to know is, is there anybody that I can report this to? Will they care?

I assume they are trying to catch the fox for some reason but luckly they had no luck and appear to have given up for now.

Foxes are not protected but in order to hunt anything in this state the hunters -with or with out dogs by the way- must have permission of the landowners/person entitled to the sporting rights ....no matter where they are hunting

most likely you may find people who care
but its harder to get any one to do anything

Eddy Hill

Birdnuts wrote: »

The Red Fox is classed as vermin and so can be legally trapped, shot and hunted with dogs.

where -exactly -are red fox classed as 'vermin'
:rolleyes:

Cass

Eddy Hill wrote: »

where -exactly -are red fox classed as 'vermin'
:rolleyes:

This question has been asked and answered multiple times ( at least in the shooting forum) so allow me to reply AGAIN.

There is NO vermin list. It would be extensive. There are protected species with no season (fully protected), and protected species that have a season where they may be hunted. Anything not on these lists are not afforded any protection under the law. There are one or two "exceptions" such as Muntjac that have an open season (all year round), and are treated as vermin, but are more aptly titled as invasive species.

kildare.17hmr

Eddy Hill wrote: »

where -exactly -are red fox classed as 'vermin'
:rolleyes:

when it comes to hunting eddie foxes have the same rights as rabbits, rats, feral cats ect and can be hunted all year round with guns, dogs, snares or traps

Mothman

Moved to Hunting from Nature & Bird Watching

The content is more suitable for here

poulo6.5

petermijackson wrote: »

In the last few nights I have noticed a fox in the back yard of my apartment block but tonight I have also seen a suspicious man and a dog out there chasing the fox. What I want to know is, is there anybody that I can report this to? Will they care?

I assume they are trying to catch the fox for some reason but luckly they had no luck and appear to have given up for now.

sounds to me like he is doing you a favor, i cant see a problem unless the man is trespassing on your property.

kildare.17hmr

poulo6.5 wrote: »

sounds to me like he is doing you a favor, i cant see a problem unless the man is trespassing on your property.

alot of people in citys see foxes differently than us, they dont see them as a problem

bazza888

they are cuddly pets kildare you know that!!:D if i saw someone hanging around where i live that i didnt know acting suspiously id ring the guards theres to many breakins and robberys around lately not to do it,if it was my property they were on id go ask them what they were doing and who they are and then to leave.

Tackleberrywho

Eddy Hill wrote: »

where -exactly -are red fox classed as 'vermin'
:rolleyes:

If it's not given protection status under the wildlife acts it's classed as Vermin or feral ie rabbits/foxes Goats and Grey Squirrels etc

Once upon a time the local Boys in Blue took their tales off us hunters

Grizzly 45

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

alot of people in citys see foxes differently than us, they dont see them as a problem

Until they or their kids get bitten by one,or their pet cat,puppy or whatever is dined on by Mr not so fablous Fox.
Or their urban organic chicken coop is raided..Then the cuteness is gone very quick!!:rolleyes:

FISMA

Eddy Hill wrote: »

where -exactly -are red fox classed as 'vermin'
:rolleyes:

I believe in the Remington Field Manual, page 700!

Tackleberrywho

FISMA wrote: »

I believe in the Remington Field Manual, page 700!

Paragraph 2, subsection 23

.243

petermijackson wrote: »

In the last few nights I have noticed a fox in the back yard of my apartment block but tonight I have also seen a suspicious man and a dog out there

probably a dogger ????:D:D:D