A fox den in the back garden

Sir, – A growing nuisance in Dublin, and perhaps in other urban areas, is the increasing number of apparently tame foxes.

While there is a generally benevolent attitude to these animals, those who have come in close contact with them know how large and menacing they can be. I have recently had the worrying experience of having a fox dig a den in my back garden. I am concerned that not only do foxes carry disease but this fox poses a threat to my grandchildren and household pets.

I am at a loss to know what action I can take to get rid of this potential danger and cannot find any group which might help me. As this is becoming a wider problem in Dublin, the present regulations preventing any harm to foxes are frustrating and unhelpful. Do we have to wait until a fox injures a child before we wake up to the danger posed by these animals? We have read of circumstances in which a fox has entered a private house and injured a small child. I urge the Dublin City Council and other local authorities to tackle this problem now rather than after a tragedy has taken place. – Yours, etc,

GERRY SHEEDY,

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Herbert Park, Dublin 4.