Foxes: Let's get public's views
At last a sensible letter on the subject of foxes by Mr Roughton followed by the usual silliness by Mr Johnson and Mr Cox (only superseded by the lady from Aylestone's romantic rubbish about a "handsome stranger" visiting her garden in the last round of letters on the subject (Mailbox, October 7).
Mr Roughton's letter is full of good advice but I think his penultimate paragraph points at the permanent solution to the problem.
Foxes are attracted to an area because of the availability of food and suitable sites to make a den.
The main sources of food are:
1) People feeding them. I must point out they are doing no favours to any wild animal by giving them processed human food.
2) Scavenging the rubbish bags put out for waste collection. It is a common site in Wigston to see these bags ripped open. Maybe it is time for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council to review its waste collection policy.
Foxes' dens are usually made under sheds and on other suitable sites such as neglected gardens and waste land. These dens could easily be identified and reported to the council. The question is will the council do anything about it?
The usual response from them is that there is nothing they can do, and that the majority of residents like to see the foxes in their gardens. Is this true? They have the power to limit the height of hedges so they ought to be able to eradicate foxes dens. If they have not got the necessary powers they should get them.
Is it true the majority of residents want no action on foxes? The council is supposed to keep (according to one of their officers) records of complaints on the subject. It would be interesting to see these figures published in your newspaper along with the records on estimated fox numbers over the past 10 years. They could also hold a local referendum on the subject to get true local opinion
It would also be interesting to see the views of our MP, Mr Garnier, on the subject. After all, he is very vocal on the subject of fox hunting, so presumably he is well informed on the subject.
Tony Herbert, Wigston.
2 Comments
by Sue, Kibworth
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 9:03AM
“I do hope Tony never comes back as a Fox! Why is it people want to get rid of any wildlife that we have and then in 20 yrs when there is no wildlife they want to re introduce them again. for example otters and hares.”
by karin, Oadby
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 10:46AM
“The ripped open bin bags are ripped open because people are too lazy to get up and put them out in the morning on the day of collection. They put them out at bedtime.I do, however, agree it it silly to feed them. Get a pet instead or make a donation to a wildlife charity!!!”