Two foxes shot after nephew was attacked by fox

Zxthinger · 24-07-2012 05:35PM #1

Yesterday at 230pm my nephew was playing in his back garden in Co Kilkenny. He was lying under a trampoline in his back garden when he felt what he believed was a cat jumping on him. He was forced to open his bloody eyes quit quick after he felt the pain of the foxes teeth biting into him. His mother was alerted my the roars of the youngster and upon arriving at the scene was only greeted by a tearful son. The fox then re- appeared some moments later and the mother had to put serious effort in to hunting it away from the house. It did not seem to have fear of humans

Luckily the youngster only had severe scratches but the brother and law and his friend when out lamping that night and shot two foxes. I my self am away.

It seems that a farm in the area had a large rabbit population and I and another chap were given permission to shoot a few rabbits. I took about 20 but the other chap shot over 150 in one weekend and cleared the place out. So? are the foxes starved and desperate and did the high pitched laughter of a child draw this predator in??
The danger is the kid is only 10and has a younger smaller sister aged 8.

I asked the mother to go to the paper with the story as it's an eye opener for everyone but she is steadfast in he sheiding of her son from press.

ssl · 24-07-2012 06:26PM

Very sorry to hear that.
Fox attacks could be more common then we think.
There could be many reason why that fox turned on a child not just that reduction in rabbits.
If there's rabbits in that area I'm sure a fox would get one in a night even if the shooters are blitzing them.
That fox may not have being able to hunt and turned scavenger. Or just an opportunist.
I'd hit them hard and yer sure to get that one some night.

kildare.17hmr · 24-07-2012 06:38PM

Hope your nephew is ok, did he have to get any stitches? Did he go to the hospital?

Zxthinger · 24-07-2012 06:48PM

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

Hope your nephew is ok, did he have to get any stitches? Did he go to the hospital?

No stitches. Only severe scratches from teeth through clothing.
We intend to clear the area out.

kildare.17hmr · 24-07-2012 07:27PM

Prob still a good idea to get him looked at. He could need a shot!

Hit them hard lad

declan1980 · 24-07-2012 07:31PM

He'd probably want a tetanus jab at least. I hope ye go to town on the feckers

garv123 · 24-07-2012 07:37PM

He should probably get a tetanus to be sure.

Could have something to do with the lack of food. Was he asked to wipe out the rabbit population? That much of a drop in numbers could cause the foxes to come closer to the house and be braver if they are hungry if there aren't other easy pickings about

Birdnuts · 24-07-2012 07:55PM

Could also be a fox that is too old or diseased to hunt properly - this kind of thing is more common in urban areas where foxes get very used to being around people. Are you near Kilkenny city or other major town??

ianoo · 24-07-2012 09:42PM

deffinetly get the child a tetanus shot ASAP ,the amount of bacteria in a foxs mouth could cause a serious infection ,mate of mine got bitten once by a wounded fox and nearly lost his hand from the infection ,even after washing out the wound and disinfecting it ,,,

ian...

rabbit assassin · 24-07-2012 10:02PM

ianoo wrote: »

deffinetly get the child a tetanus shot ASAP ,the amount of bacteria in a foxs mouth could cause a serious infection ,mate of mine got bitten once by a wounded fox and nearly lost his hand from the infection ,even after washing out the wound and disinfecting it ,,,

ian...

+1

Caught a lad in a snare a few years back but the stopper that was on the snare didnt let it tighten far enough to do the job. I had no gun with me (of course had to be the one time). Anyway it was too far to walk back to get it and I wanted to put the fox outa his misery ASAP so I tried a trick I once saw my grandfather do many times. i tried to grab the fox by the back of the neck and position him in the way that meant he was defenseless so I could release the snare. Of course I did it ar$eways and he got a hold of the skin between my thumb and trigger finger and boy God did his jaws lock :eek: for a good 10 seconds !!!!. Eventually fox was released as I planned to lamp him and really I didnt care as long as I got back to wash the bite.

I gave it a good thorough wash with salt water, dettol , the works. Bandaged it up and thought nothing of it until I woke up during the night soaked with sweat and a dreadful pain in my arm. Thought my time was up....heart attack !! It was only when I went to wipe the sweat off my face that I noticed something was wrong with my hand... It had swollen to almost twice the size and gone purple. . . . Had to go to doctor on call in town and get it sorted. Was extremely painful so lad get the nephew seen to ASAP !

ssl · 24-07-2012 10:15PM

If there's a fox that's a danger to children then you should consider contacting local radio, NPWS, Gardai. No need to cause panic but that animal needs to be destroyed

Shoot2kill · 24-07-2012 10:15PM

You'll probably get loads of offers and also probably have plenty local lads to do it but myself & the gang would be more than happy to hunt out any big covers that might be around the area where it happened.

Shocking incident though! I hope the young lad is ok.

Wilberto · 24-07-2012 10:25PM

I think foxes are becoming more and more "tamer" (or just less fearful (probably more appropriate)). I remember going back a few years you'd struggle to see any fox around where I live, which is in a rural area surrounded by fields. Now though there's this one fox who actually hangs around our house (eating the cats food) and only runs away when you come within about 2/3 feet of him.

I am assuming it is the same fox, but regardless of that, it still shows how foxes are possibly becomin less fearful, with instances such as the one in the OP becoming more prevalent.

Just curious know if anyone else has had similar experiences with foxes becoming less fearful?

Rew · 24-07-2012 10:28PM

Get him seen by the GP. He may need a tetanus (he may have had it recently enough) he def should get a precautionary course of antibiotics. Thats what i got after a nasty dog bite last year.

mathepac · 24-07-2012 10:31PM

I'm really sorry to hear about the young lad being injured and I hope he gets the treatment he needs and is OK.

I'm puzzled by the attack though. No predator or carnivore is going to be willing to risk injury or death by attacking potential prey two to three times its own size. Even an opportunistic attack on a larger injured animal would only be undertaken after careful surveillance and an attack like that in daylight would be even more rare.

Are there known diseases that would raise the aggression level and suppress the fox's natural caution and shyness? Is there any evidence that our native foxes are breeding with foreign imports?

garv123 · 24-07-2012 10:34PM

Wilberto wrote: »

I think foxes are becoming more and more "tamer" (or just less fearful (probably more appropriate)). I remember going back a few years you'd struggle to see any fox around where I live, which is in a rural area surrounded by fields. Now though there's this one fox who actually hangs around our house (eating the cats food) and only runs away when you come within about 2/3 feet of him.

I am assuming it is the same fox, but regardless of that, it still shows how foxes are possibly becomin less fearful, with instances such as the one in the OP becoming more prevalent.

Just curious know if anyone else has had similar experiences with foxes becoming less fearful?

the fox has a supply to food.. thats why he hung around. he has access to cat food so why wouldn't he hang around.. The reason for seem them closer to towns now is because over the last 10-15 years the country side got covered in houses during the boom so there is less habitats. foxes will pick at bins to for a free meal and are getting braver because its easier than hunting.

Towns in England have high fox populations towards 10 years ago from people feeding them and food left around in bins.

Birdnuts · 24-07-2012 10:43PM

mathepac wrote: »

Are there known diseases that would raise the aggression level and suppress the fox's natural caution and shyness? Is there any evidence that our native foxes are breeding with foreign imports?

Foxes on the continent can carry rabies(I've seen rabid dogs in Kenya and they are like something out of a horror film!!) - but there hasn't been a case in this country for nearly a centuary and we are officially rabies free. There are other diseases though that can infect the brains of foxes that make them act "funny" - some of these carried by common parasites like tapeworms etc.

Traumadoc · 24-07-2012 10:59PM

i normally put all dog bites on a course of antibiotics., tetanus should be up to date for most kids.

Dirk Gently · 24-07-2012 11:03PM

garv123 wrote: »

Towns in England have high fox populations towards 10 years ago from people feeding them and food left around in bins.

Common enough in Dublin city centre too. I seen one most recently on Gardiner street last week at around 6am. The city foxes tend to be bigger than the average, obviously well fed scavenging for food in bins. A lot out here in Dub 11 in a more traditional green environment, feeding on rabbits but they tend to be significantly smaller than those in the city and much more timid.

Wilberto · 24-07-2012 11:31PM

garv123 wrote: »

the fox has a supply to food.. thats why he hung around. he has access to cat food so why wouldn't he hang around.. The reason for seem them closer to towns now is because over the last 10-15 years the country side got covered in houses during the boom so there is less habitats. foxes will pick at bins to for a free meal and are getting braver because its easier than hunting.

Towns in England have high fox populations towards 10 years ago from people feeding them and food left around in bins.

Oh I know that alright, but I suppose what I never mentioned was that I've been feeding the cats in the same place for about 15 years, and before that someone else was doing it (i.e. we've had cats all my life) and they were always fed outside in the same place.

And yet it's only recently that the fox has become brave enough to come this close.

Zxthinger · 25-07-2012 12:28AM

Ok the lad went to kilkenny hospital and the doc couldn't believe what he was hearing. I haven't been home since but I'm sure the professional medical advise is sound.
As for the reasons behind the attack! The lad was lying beneath his trampoline just talking to himself or laughing. I think he was playing a nintendo. So he was on his todd and was either laughing or screaming but as far as I can make out he inadvertently attracted the Fox.
Oh and yes the chap shooting the rabbits was asked to control them but I think he went too far shooting too many in one go IMO

rabbit assassin · 25-07-2012 07:39AM

Its not exactly a real baby but its as close of a test that you can get and its worth a watch. Not trying to scare people into not going out after dark due to Giant baby eating foxes or anything of the sort. Its just an interesting test. !

TheChizler · 25-07-2012 07:55AM

How strange... A fox in an enclosure took some pork from a 'thing' wrapped in 'things' as far as it's concerned. I can't imagine that there are any domestic animals that would act in the same manner.

kildare.17hmr · 25-07-2012 08:35AM

Was it not a Doll?

Grizzly 45 · 25-07-2012 11:42AM

Birdnuts wrote: »

Foxes on the continent can carry rabies(I've seen rabid dogs in Kenya and they are like something out of a horror film!!) - but there hasn't been a case in this country for nearly a centuary and we are officially rabies free. There are other diseases though that can infect the brains of foxes that make them act "funny" - some of these carried by common parasites like tapeworms etc.

Fact ,and as somone who did get bit once in a country where there is rabies ,I can tell you all the anti rabies treatment is no joke either, its excruiating ,but a Hell of a lot easier than the death by rabies.:eek:
Be as it may,I reckon it will be only a matter of time before it hits Ireland anyway.With incidents like that,be they fox or stray dog or cat bites I'd rather do a total overkill and check for rabies anyway.

moby30 · 25-07-2012 02:20PM

About two years ago the Mother in law rang us with the hysterically funny news that a cub ran into the house and was hiding in the kitchen.By the way she was minding our kids and the reason she rang us was to tell us shes going to try and catch it so the kids can pet it:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
I naturally go crazy and then become the spoil sport, cruel Ba***rd. Thankfully it got out of the house without any incident. The following day two cubs came in and ran around the house and wandered upstairs so she rings the wife to tell her how tame and cuddly they were-having a pop at me and "here they are coming down the stairs" then screaming as one jumped straight at her. Fortunately she wasnt bitten:rolleyes: and needless to say the door remained closed after that but the point im trying to make is that more people need to know how dangerous a fox can be especially around young children and where I undestand That your Mother wants to protect the child by not going public about it-and shouldnt be knocked for it the fact is this story could help or prevent someone elses child from being bitten or worse.

dicky82 · 25-07-2012 06:10PM

rabbit assassin wrote: »

Its not exactly a real baby but its as close of a test that you can get and its worth a watch. Not trying to scare people into not going out after dark due to Giant baby eating foxes or anything of the sort. Its just an interesting test. !

just to put this video into perspective. it's a dead piglet and is pure propaganda.
i'm not taking the side of the anti's here but lets be sensible.

declan1980 · 25-07-2012 06:24PM

dicky82 wrote: »

just to put this video into perspective. it's a dead piglet and is pure propaganda.
i'm not taking the side of the anti's here but lets be sensible.

As Charlie Jacoby said to the anti's on that foxes live programme, the fox takes the piglet while obviously not being bothered at all about the human smell from the clothes it's wearing, or the buggy. Any fox that ever got wind of us while we were lamping was gone like a rocket, so this video shows quite well that foxes living in close proximity to humans who don't feel threatened by us are quite capable of having a go at a baby.

dicky82 · 25-07-2012 06:35PM

declan1980 wrote: »

As Charlie Jacoby said to the anti's on that foxes live programme, the fox takes the piglet while obviously not being bothered at all about the human smell from the clothes it's wearing, or the buggy. Any fox that ever got wind of us while we were lamping was gone like a rocket, so this video shows quite well that foxes living in close proximity to humans who don't feel threatened by us are quite capable of having a go at a baby.

just once the baby smells like rashers.

TriggerPL · 25-07-2012 07:10PM

declan1980 wrote: »

dicky82 wrote: »

just to put this video into perspective. it's a dead piglet and is pure propaganda.
i'm not taking the side of the anti's here but lets be sensible.

As Charlie Jacoby said to the anti's on that foxes live programme, the fox takes the piglet while obviously not being bothered at all about the human smell from the clothes it's wearing, or the buggy. Any fox that ever got wind of us while we were lamping was gone like a rocket, so this video shows quite well that foxes living in close proximity to humans who don't feel threatened by us are quite capable of having a go at a baby.

I dont know about baby in a pram or anything but I was in London last year and one ran past us out of the underground and they were 5 meters from us on streets near the house .

People are treating these as pets feeding them and there not .

Any body interested in carrying out there own test with the pram

pheasntstalker · 25-07-2012 08:59PM

hope the youg lad is ok,and hope u nail the as many foxs as u can,i definatly know the the f"ckers are knocking round my estate:mad: wife has seen it poping side of our house,but not a thing i can do about it, the disadvantages of living in a town,oh i long to get back to the w:(ilderness

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Two foxes shot after nephew was attacked by fox

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