Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
It is an offence under this Act for a person having control or charge of an animal to deliberately and without good cause abandon it permanently or otherwise in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering.
Because of the definition of “animal” in this Act, non-domestic animals which have been taken into captivity are covered by this legislation.
Therefore, an offence may be committed under section 1 of this Act if a released rehabilitated wild animal does not have a reasonable chance of survival (i.e. a chance similar to its non-rehabilitated peers).
This may include release of foxes at an unsuitable site, in the wrong territory, unfit, not having learned to hunt, at the wrong time of year etc.
Whilst advocating both town and country foxes we realise that fox can and do cause problems. Problems can range from householders having their flower beds dug up, foxes fouling on their lawns and setting up home under garden sheds. More serious problems can include foxes taking livestock and pets ie rabbits and Guinea pigs. Hopefully the following will help resolve many of the problems mentioned and also allay any concerns regarding health issues.
One of the most common complaint we receive is from people wanting advice on how to discourage foxes from fouling on their lawns and digging up the flower beds.
Renardine – now banned in the UK
Legal Notice regarding the banning of Renardine:
Renardine was the only legally permitted chemical deterrent which was effective against CATS, DOGS, RABBITS, FOXES, MOLES and BADGERS . As from the 24th March 2006, Renardine has been banned. Importantly, ALL the approvals for Renardine have now expired. This means that:
* Renardine can no longer be advertised for sale.
* Renardine can not be bought from any shop, wholesaler, mail order, agricultural supplies merchants, internet or by private sale.
* Renardine may no longer be supplied, sold, given away or swapped.
* Renardine may no longer by used.
* Renardine may no longer be stored (so any stocks you have must be disposed of).
RenCoco ( Renardine- impregnated cocoa shells) has also been banned.
For more information see the PSD’s web site at <a class=”postlink” href=”http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=1567″>http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=1567</a>
Other ways to discourage foxes from digging would be to avoid using bone meal around the garden. When foxes find an abundance of food, rather than waste it they bury it. When they come across the smell of bone meal around plants they assume wrongly that food has been cached so dig down. Also avoid putting food out for birds or hedgehogs as any food source will be taken readily by the foxes.
If you suspect that foxes are living under your shed and you don’t want them there these are the steps to take.
Step 1) To ensure foxes are using the underneath of your shed make sure to locate all the holes. Foxes invariably have two holes, a front door and a back door if you like.
Step 2) On discovering all the holes and on the basis there are two holes get two bundles of rags. Loosely block both holes with the rags. If the rags haven’t moved for two – three days, you can safely assume that nothing is going into the hole and nothing is coming out. It is therefore safe to fill in.
Most vixens will be looking to set up home under a garden shed possibly in January. This is in preparation for when she will give birth usually in March. Deterring the vixen before giving birth to her litter of cubs will be far kinder and easier than when she has. If you have a shed in the garden and know foxes frequent your garden, and you don’t like the idea of having a litter of cubs under the shed, be vigilant in the early part of the year and look fot any signs of digging around the base of the shed.
Derbyshire Fox Rescue | Chesterfield UK | mange.org.uk | info@derbyfoxes.org.uk | +44 7791 908131
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