Foxes

arleitiss

Hey, just wondering do foxes normally attack people? I have work on wednesday and sunday nights and it has few trees, I finish at midnight and when leaving I see a fox or two staring at me then running away, I usually jump into car quickly, know this may sound weird but can they attack randomly? or will they usually stand off doing that?

Felexicon

You are safe!

starviewadams

They will just run away from you,unless you inadvertently manage to corner one!

Mr Simpson

As said, foxes will always run away. They are very afraid of people.

dodderangler

mmcn90 wrote: »

As said, foxes will always run away. They are very afraid of people.

No they are not
Not city foxes they are not afraid anymore
As someone who shoots them I can tell u and so will lads on huntin forum there is a huge difference between city foxes and country foxes
Country lads will run a mile but city lads won't and can stand there ground
There has also been a rise in attacks mainly on children and all occuring in built up areas
But as opposed to your query on them attackin a fully grown adult no they won't you are safe

Pdfile

dodderangler wrote: »

No they are not
Not city foxes they are not afraid anymore
As someone who shoots them I can tell u and so will lads on huntin forum there is a huge difference between city foxes and country foxes
Country lads will run a mile but city lads won't and can stand there ground
There has also been a rise in attacks mainly on children and all occuring in built up areas
But as opposed to your query on them attackin a fully grown adult no they won't you are safe

funny how the last fox attacks i heard about was back when you could get a reward for a fox's tale..

as someone who has lived around " city " foxes... you'll be grand.

dodderangler

Google fox attacks
And also few weeks ago a child was attacked playin in his garden in broad daylight under the trampoline in his garden
Fox attacks his legs and left him horribly scarred he was 8 year old afaik

strandroad

arleitiss wrote: »

Hey, just wondering do foxes normally attack people? I have work on wednesday and sunday nights and it has few trees, I finish at midnight and when leaving I see a fox or two staring at me then running away, I usually jump into car quickly, know this may sound weird but can they attack randomly? or will they usually stand off doing that?

You are quite safe. There are plenty of foxes where I live and where I used to live, if returning home after midnight you are nearly guaranteed to meet some and my dog can sniff them where they use to pass. Never any trouble; they may observe you from a distance that's all. As far as I can tell most horror stories about them taking on children or cats are from where the animals can be rabid.

dchris

Yes I must agree with the previous poster dodderangler. I used to live in London and foxes seem quite brazen there. They wander around streets on bin day. Could see them walking on the Common by my apartment all the time. On one occasion I seen a fox run at two people who had a small dog on a lead.

Also while I was there a fox got into some ones house and mauled a baby http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/07/fox-attack-twins

Country foxes are much more nervous of people. City foxes are bad-asses! I'd imagine they are more inclined to attack people if they are spooked or pissed off though, no more than a dog would.

Just to be extra secure - when you are running to your car, you should wave your hands in the air, run in a zigzag fashion and scream hysterically. Then you'll be fine.

Galwayguy35

I'd be more wary of a badger, we have loads of them around here and they are supposed to have a strong bite if cornered but I don't think they live in cities.

Merch

dodderangler wrote: »

Google fox attacks
And also few weeks ago a child was attacked playin in his garden in broad daylight under the trampoline in his garden
Fox attacks his legs and left him horribly scarred he was 8 year old afaik

Care to provide a link?
I did a quick google and that did not come up until I was much more specific,
and otego is where? I thought Canada by the sounds of it and the other stuff mentioned, but says NY.
It also says it is a gray fox, a different creature to our red, its also possible it was misidentified for a different animal altogether, The Coyote?

All the same thats not Dublin at all.
I've seen less and less foxes and none recently near me, they are very shy creatures and only a very limited number of reported (alleged attacks).

dodderangler

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I'd be more wary of a badger, we have loads of them around here and they are supposed to have a strong bite if cornered but I don't think they live in cities.

Badgers are different altogether
Bad ass isn't the word for them lads
They are related to wolverines ffs
Your talkin 20kilos, metre long 2 foot wide claws over 7 inches long and serious set of teeth to match its bad attitude
So avoid them lads at all costs

dchris

Merch wrote: »

Care to provide a link?
I did a quick google and that did not come up until I was much more specific,
and otego is where? I thought Canada by the sounds of it and the other stuff mentioned, but says NY.
It also says it is a gray fox, a different creature to our red, its also possible it was misidentified for a different animal altogether, The Coyote?

All the same thats not Dublin at all.
I've seen less and less foxes and none recently near me, they are very shy creatures and only a very limited number of reported (alleged attacks).

I know it's not the same case as Dodderangler but here is two which happened while i lived in london

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8852771/Boy-attacked-by-fox-in-bedroom.html


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-125763/Parents-tell-horror-fox-attacks-sleeping-baby.html

belcampprisoner

unless they have rabies

Merch

dchris wrote: »

Yes I must agree with the previous poster dodderangler. I used to live in London and foxes seem quite brazen there. They wander around streets on bin day. Could see them walking on the Common by my apartment all the time. On one occasion I seen a fox run at two people who had a small dog on a lead.

Also while I was there a fox got into some ones house and mauled a baby http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/07/fox-attack-twins

Country foxes are much more nervous of people. City foxes are bad-asses! I'd imagine they are more inclined to attack people if they are spooked or pissed off, like a dog would.

Just to be extra secure - when you are running to your car, you should wave your hands in the air, run in a zigzag fashion and scream hysterically. Then you'll be fine.

Given the last paragraph in your post suggests an element of sarcasm, but the rest of it sounds like you mean it. So one incident, that was highly publicised, I have my doubts a bit but lets say it is 100% accurate, then the rest of your post is an over reaction.
How many people do you imagine are attacked by dogs, hundreds? thousands? millions? I say kill em all, just in case, as a precaution.
I highly doubt they would stand their ground to even a small child that knew they were there unless you were near their set and that'd likely apply to any animal.

dchris

Merch wrote: »

Given the last paragraph in your post suggests an element of sarcasm, but the rest of it sounds like you mean it. So one incident, that was highly publicised, I have my doubts a bit but lets say it is 100% accurate, then the rest of your post is an over reaction.
How many people do you imagine are attacked by dogs, hundreds? thousands? millions?
I highly doubt they would stand their ground to even a small child that knew they were there unless you were near their set and that'd likely apply to any animal.

Sorry I meant to say "no more than a dog would" not "like a dog would"

cheif kaiser

A family of foxes live very close to me in Dublin 12 and if they see me they always run away. Some foxes get cheeky because humans try to make friends with them by feeding them, etc and make them less afraid. Urban foxes should be left to their own devices and they will stay fearful it is better for us and better for the foxes. Not all humans are friendly either!

gozunda

Ok a few facts

Fox (Vulpes vulpes) belong to the order Carnivora (ie carnivores) they are also opportinistic feeders and will take food where they can

Foxes in urban environments appear to have lost many of their more normal behaviours living in close proximity with humans and showing less fear than their country cousins

Urban foxes have been observed to eat rats, pigeons and even cats
There have been a number of documented attacks on humans more often children and despite the baying of the cute foxey advocates can and do present (albeit risk) to small pets and also possibly children

On a health point of view - foxes can present with a number of diseases including mange which may be a fatal condition for them and can be passed to other animals

In Europe they may be carriers of rabbies

If you have observed a fox lurking in a particular vicinity it may be a fox with a specific terriority best to give it a wide bearth in case it is old / sick / injured.

John Mason

dchris wrote: »

I know it's not the same case as Dodderangler but here is two which happened while i lived in london

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8852771/Boy-attacked-by-fox-in-bedroom.html


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-125763/Parents-tell-horror-fox-attacks-sleeping-baby.html

Do you know we are talking about DUBLIN, this forum is for DUBLIN.

London is a completely different place to DUBLIN. DUBLIN is not as over populated as London. Even in the city of DUBLIN there are large green spaces. Foxes rarely come into close contact with people in DUBLIN unlike those in London. I have seen London foxes and DUBLIN foxes - they are a completely different.

Just leave them alone and let them get on their business.

gozunda

irishbird wrote: »

dchris wrote: »

I know it's not the same case as Dodderangler but here is two which happened while i lived in london

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8852771/Boy-attacked-by-fox-in-bedroom.html


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-125763/Parents-tell-horror-fox-attacks-sleeping-baby.html

Do you know we are talking about DUBLIN, this forum is for DUBLIN.

London is a completely different place to DUBLIN. DUBLIN is not as over populated as London. Even in the city of DUBLIN there are large green spaces. Foxes rarely come into close contact with people in DUBLIN unlike those in London. I have seen London foxes and DUBLIN foxes - they are a completely different.

Just leave them alone and let them get on their business.

Ahhh their Oirish foxes to be sure - grand lads altogether - not like those ol' sasanach ones at all at all....;)

But shssss I'll let you in on something - see those foxes ? They are all bloody culchies that have been sneaking into Dublin in the dead of night taking up residence and then looking for free accommodation and grub . Send them back to culchieville before they take over!

Tripp

cheif kaiser wrote: »

A family of foxes live very close to me in Dublin 12 and if they see me they always run away. Some foxes get cheeky because humans try to make friends with them by feeding them, etc and make them less afraid. Urban foxes should be left to their own devices and they will stay fearful it is better for us and better for the foxes. Not all humans are friendly either!

That wouldnt happen to be around Bunting Park would it?

dan1895

Grew up by the Dodder where there are a fair few foxes and there was no trouble with them at all. On the rare occasion you'd see them they'd scarper pretty sharpish. The nearest I ever got was walking home from the pub alone one night and one ran across me no more than a meter away. Sobered me up damn quick!

Triangular

dodderangler wrote: »

There has also been a rise in attacks mainly on children and all occuring in built up areas

Can you provide any newspaper / online / any links to such stories, that support your personal theory?

I've heard of one fox attack in england several years ago. If such attacks were "on the rise" then reporting on such must also be on the rise.

Mr Simpson

dodderangler wrote: »

No they are not
Not city foxes they are not afraid anymore
As someone who shoots them I can tell u and so will lads on huntin forum there is a huge difference between city foxes and country foxes
Country lads will run a mile but city lads won't and can stand there ground
There has also been a rise in attacks mainly on children and all occuring in built up areas
But as opposed to your query on them attackin a fully grown adult no they won't you are safe

Tell that to the ones on my road, they run a mile. Any statistics to back up your claim?

archer22

dodderangler wrote: »

Badgers are different altogether
Bad ass isn't the word for them lads
They are related to wolverines ffs
Your talkin 20kilos, metre long 2 foot wide claws over 7 inches long and serious set of teeth to match its bad attitude
So avoid them lads at all costs

Have you any more nonsense you would like to come out with?..how about man eating Rabbits or something.Folks beware of many posters on threads like this..they are the pro hunting lot trying to demonise their quarry with outrageous lies.

admiralofthefleet

i regularly see foxes in terenure. the probably come up from bushy park

seamus

Foxes in Ireland do not have rabies.

There have been no reports in Ireland of fox attacks on either adults or children, certainly not in the last ten years.

The reports in the UK seem worrying until you consider that the vast majority occur in London - a city with 3 times the population of Ireland jammed into an area the size of Co. Meath. It's also a much older city, so the foxes there are nth-generation and will have adapted to city life.

Even then, fox attacks on humans are extraordinarily rare.

Foxes in Ireland present no danger to humans no matter what the trigger-happy lobby would tell you.

dodderangler

archer22 wrote: »

dodderangler wrote: »

Badgers are different altogether
Bad ass isn't the word for them lads
They are related to wolverines ffs
Your talkin 20kilos, metre long 2 foot wide claws over 7 inches long and serious set of teeth to match its bad attitude
So avoid them lads at all costs

Have you any more nonsense you would like to come out with?..how about man eating Rabbits or something.Folks beware of many posters on threads like this..they are the pro hunting lot trying to demonise their quarry with outrageous lies.

Ah PETA
Was wondering when your sad ass would turn up
Murder any carrots or cabbage this week?
Ask anyone that hunts
We all know about the attacks but not all reports go to the papers
Matter fact there was a thread on it a while back about the young lad bein attacked and a fella asked on hunting forum that the foxes had been shot after the attack
http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056710062?page=1#post_79894866
Any more PETA wanna chat pm me I've a few pics I know you would love

Lawrence1895

Maybe, it's the wrong place here.

But I was wondering, if one my rabbits was killed by a fox last week. No real sign of a fight, the poor thing was just lying there on her side, her neck was broken, blood coming out her ears and eyes.

Or do foxes usually taking away their prey?

seamus

Lars1916 wrote: »

Or do foxes usually taking away their prey?

Usually, though when surrounded by a lot of prey (such as in a chicken pen), foxes are known to kill more than they need because their prey instinct kicks in.

A single kill left behind though seems odd unless the fox was really spooked by something.

Cats are more likely to kill for sport, though they're not well-known for attacking rabbits unless the cat is large and/or the rabbit is small.

archer22

dodderangler wrote: »

Ah PETA
Was wondering when your sad ass would turn up
Murder any carrots or cabbage this week?
Ask anyone that hunts
We all know about the attacks but not all reports go to the papers
Matter fact there was a thread on it a while back about the young lad bein attacked and a fella asked on hunting forum that the foxes had been shot after the attack
http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056710062?page=1#post_79894866
Any more PETA wanna chat pm me I've a few pics I know you would love

You come across as being seriously deranged..and thats not a joke.

Mr Simpson

Dodderangler & Archer22 cut it out. No more personal abuse, any more will result in a ban

Lawrence1895

seamus wrote: »

Usually, though when surrounded by a lot of prey (such as in a chicken pen), foxes are known to kill more than they need because their prey instinct kicks in.

A single kill left behind though seems odd unless the fox was really spooked by something.

Cats are more likely to kill for sport, though they're not well-known for attacking rabbits unless the cat is large and/or the rabbit is small.

When I heard the noise in the garden, I knocked at the window (but I couldn't go down quickly enough, due to a back injury), maybe that scared the fox away.

And I know, there are a few stray cats around, some of them are quite big.

solid oak

saw loads of foxes at dublin airport car park recently, must be plane spotters !!

12gauge dave

City foxes and country foxes are both in general non confrontational but i remember when i grew up in london people always took caution with leaving food around and even leaving small children play alone in gardens! Foxs are a problem in london i cant comment on the fox situation in dublin as i have never lives there!

But be cautious is my advice in citys

stanley1

saw 2 this morning outside my house (D12), see plenty of them on my way to work, kildare rd, clogher rd, along the canal etc.

Gongoozler

My experience with foxes would be that they're all pretty timid and afraid. That is both in very rural places and in Dublin city. Have foxes regularly visiting my parents garden at home, just having a snoop around - as soon as they see you they take off. One night after drinks, on the way home I saw a fox on Parnell Square, with a rat in its mouth, doing its best to avoid the people passing. one group of drunks thought chasing after it was a good idea. But then they left it alone, and it ran off. TBH comparing the two, the one in Dublin was probably more afraid than the ones at home.

Seriously, wouldn't ever be afraid of a fox. I'd be wary if I had a small child, but I would be with any animal and a small child, like anybody should be. Foxes aren't there to attack humans, pretty much nothing is. Learn about these animals and you'll be much better off.

pawrick

Like some other posters have said - use a common sense approach, we aren't considered prey items for a fox due to our size but that doesn't mean you leave children unattended either. Both us and foxes can live quite happily side by side once we understand this.

btw I've seen foxes around Ringsend/Irishtown area at night in the past and they keep their distance.

Used to run into foxes all the time when I lived in Mount Merrion, they always ran away, cept for one vixen who would sit down like a dog and cock her head quizzically, she was dead cute, first time she did it she scared me a bit (scared of large dogs too) so I threw a stick at her and she ran, then I used to ignore her and she'd just sit and watch me walk by. Don't threaten the fox and you'll be grand.

gozunda

Lars1916 wrote: »

Maybe, it's the wrong place here.

But I was wondering, if one my rabbits was killed by a fox last week. No real sign of a fight, the poor thing was just lying there on her side, her neck was broken, blood coming out her ears and eyes.

Or do foxes usually taking away their prey?

Had a barn cat taken by a fox. Fox seen stalking and grabbing cat in farm yard - fox made a dash for nearest field afterwards taking said cat with it.

Cheeky bugger considering cat was not a youngster and fairly fit and healthy. Fox also risked entry into farm yard. Didn't have a second go though...

gozunda

gozunda wrote: »

Had a barn cat taken by a fox. Fox seen stalking and grabbing cat in farm yard - fox made a dash for nearest field afterwards taking said cat with it.

Cheeky bugger considering cat was not a youngster and fairly fit and healthy. Fox also risked entry into farm yard. Didn't have a second go though...

A fox who used to cross our garden like clockwork, around 5pm every day, ran into a cat sleeping in it's path one day. Granted this is one of the biggest cats I ever saw. But the fox stalled, the cat yawned, stretched and lazily arched it's back, and the fox ran.

We're quite sure we've had cats taken by rural foxes back at home though, we did have a family of very small and timid cats for a few years.

mosi

Be happy to have foxes in your neighbourhood I'd say...helps to control the vermin.
Foxes pose no danger to humans. I see plenty of them around, it's always a pleasure to see them.

The Master.

Im in Balrothery,Tallaght. close to the dodder and tymon park and there is a fox in my fairly overgrown garden right now. its killed one of my chickens last week and got to them again on saturday at three oclock in the afternoon while i was sitting in clear view 20 foot away. it was so quick, not like a cat skulking slowly up to them, this fox made a bee-line straight into the coop through a tiny hole in the fence.
I can believe that it might attack a very small kid on thier own.i definately wouldnt take a chance as this one has very little fear.
i can see it lounging in the garden most days but does run off when i go near and doesnt come back that day.
it didnt get to take away and eat the chicken it killed last week as we chased it off and now i think its going crazy to kill the rest.

archer22

The Master. wrote: »

Im in Balrothery,Tallaght. close to the dodder and tymon park and there is a fox in my fairly overgrown garden right now. its killed one of my chickens last week and got to them again on saturday at three oclock in the afternoon while i was sitting in clear view 20 foot away. it was so quick, not like a cat skulking slowly up to them, this fox made a bee-line straight into the coop through a tiny hole in the fence.
I can believe that it might attack a very small kid on thier own.i definately wouldnt take a chance as this one has very little fear.
i can see it lounging in the garden most days but does run off when i go near and doesnt come back that day.
it didnt get to take away and eat the chicken it killed last week as we chased it off and now i think its going crazy to kill the rest.

Try fixing the hole in the fence then :rolleyes:

dodderangler

Fixin the hole won't entirely stop it
Foxes will chew at anything and dig under anything to get what it wants
Il sort that fox for ya on Saturday mate

Merch

The Master. wrote: »

Im in Balrothery,Tallaght. close to the dodder and tymon park and there is a fox in my fairly overgrown garden right now. its killed one of my chickens last week and got to them again on saturday at three oclock in the afternoon while i was sitting in clear view 20 foot away. it was so quick, not like a cat skulking slowly up to them, this fox made a bee-line straight into the coop through a tiny hole in the fence.
I can believe that it might attack a very small kid on thier own.i definately wouldnt take a chance as this one has very little fear.
i can see it lounging in the garden most days but does run off when i go near and doesnt come back that day.
it didnt get to take away and eat the chicken it killed last week as we chased it off and now i think its going crazy to kill the rest.

what, like something the size of a chicken?
cmon, children that small, ie babies shouldnt be left unattended anyway and not in a situation where anything can get at them.

The Master.

Unfortunately its business at the moment is trying to kill my chickens so IT HAS TO DIE!!!

I dont believe this argument that because it hasnt happened in Ireland before it will never happen.
I do believe every fox has a different personality but they all have the same basic instinct to kill no matter where they live.

archer22

The Master. wrote: »

Unfortunately its business at the moment is trying to kill my chickens so IT HAS TO DIE!!!

I dont believe this argument that because it hasnt happened in Ireland before it will never happen.
I do believe every fox has a different personality but they all have the same basic instinct to kill no matter where they live.

Try giving him some of the marijuana you were talking about in another thread...that might chill him out .

Merch

The Master. wrote: »

Unfortunately its business at the moment is trying to kill my chickens so IT HAS TO DIE!!!

I dont believe this argument that because it hasnt happened in Ireland before it will never happen.
I do believe every fox has a different personality but they all have the same basic instinct to kill no matter where they live.

Its a wild animal, it needs to feed
It seems likely it would go for the most food/food value? with the least effort?
I can understand you dont want to see your efforts or the use of having chickens/hens? wasted for nothing.
Maybe make the coop more secure.

gozunda

Merch wrote: »

what, like something the size of a chicken?
cmon, children that small, ie babies shouldnt be left unattended anyway and not in a situation where anything can get at them.

How about something the size of a goose that can weigh in at 8 kg? Foxes do not discriminate on size. Your second point is immaterial in relation to an opportunistic feeder such as a fox. Yes foxes do have place in the ecosystem - unfortunately their numbers are not controlled by any native predator so often populations are pushed to having to predate outside their natural range. This is when they present as a problem to livestock and in other reported attacks.

John_Rambo

gozunda wrote: »

How about something the size of a goose that can weigh in at 8 kg? Foxes do not discriminate on size. Your second point is immaterial in relation to an opportunistic feeder such as a fox. Yes foxes do have place in the ecosystem - unfortunately their numbers are not controlled by any native predator so often populations are pushed to having to predate outside their natural range. This is when they present as a problem to livestock and in other reported attacks.

Sometimes there's a price to pay living with wildlife.

Here in Dublin, and in Ireland, it's a small enough price. Take a look at some parts of Canada, Africa, America or India.

I don't think wiping out our wildlife and tarmacking everything is the answer. Disease and traffic are the urban foxes natural predator. As others say, I wouldn't go attracting them in to a garden with food, particularly if there are very young kids, don't want any confusion or mistakes.

Saying that, they still come in to my garden often enough. I like it.