Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward had alerted residents in the block that a ‘pest’ controller would be setting up traps to ‘trap and remove’ the foxes – despite the letter not specifying any issues that foxes had been causing local residents. Following this, concerned residents took to social media to express their disgust and horror at the thought of the foxes being culled. Whilst the term ‘remove’ is used in the letter, it is illegal to trap wild animals and move them to other locations – therefore the animals would have been shot.
Support was galvanised from other members of the public via Twitter, and also had the backing of animal protection and conservation campaigner Chris Packham, as well as celebrity doctor Dr Christian Jessen.
Animal Aid’s Wildlife Consultant wrote to Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward to urge them to cancel plans to cull the foxes after being alerted to the situation by one of our supporters. We highlighted how culling is not only cruel, but pointless – once a family of foxes is ‘removed’ from an area, a new family will often take over the vacant territory within a few days. And we additionally advised on humane alternatives.
Following our email, we received a response from Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, informing us that the they would be removing the trap and seeking other resolutions by consulting the local residents. Animal Aid has been able to advise the estate agent of various methods and humane fox deterrence companies to use – namely Fox-A-Gon whose experience shows that lethal fox control is cruel and unnecessary.
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Block and Estate Management have informed us that they will be meeting with local residents to discuss the ‘fox situation’ and how best to resolve any issues involving wildlife going forward.
Speaking of the incident, local resident Peter King comments: