You are not currently logged in.
Thursday, May 24 2012

Giant fox killed in Maidstone

Keith Talbot next to the giant fox. Picture supplied Fieldsports ChannelA giant fox twice the normal size has been caught and killed in Maidstone.

The huge animal, which weighed 26.5lb and was almost four feet long, was trapped and killed humanely by vet Keith Talbot.

Mr Talbot, pictured left, killed the fox after it has been seen around his parents' house in Maidstone days after the remains of their 19-year-old tabby cat was found in the garden.

He trapped the fox in a cage before putting it down.

The fox, which is about the height of a seven-year-old child, is thought to have grown by eating food scraps left out in dustbins and by wildlife lovers.

A pack’s alpha male will often grow bigger than the rest by claiming the most food.

Foxes hit the headlines last year after twins Isabella and Lola Kouparis were attacked in their beds in London after one got into their home via a open patio door.

But animal rights campaigners point out most foxes live on insects and small mammals and pose no harm to humans unless they are frightened.

The fox has now made news around the world after it was featured on The Field Sports Channel.

It is thought there are at least 34,000 urban foxes in Britain.

Have you seen a giant fox in your neighbourhood? Send us you snaps to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk or leave a comment below.

Tuesday, January 04 2011

The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.

Comments (137)

Comments closed

  • Mitie wrote:

    Wild mammals protection act 1996: prohibits the cruel treatment of all wild mammals, but allows legitimate pest controls, game keepers and vets by humane means to take a wild mammals from a live trap, because under this act there not alowed to release as it considered unlawful under animal welfare of the fox.

    20 Mar 2011 1:50 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Nibbles wrote:

    I live in the contry and we are overun with urban foxes that the RSPCA dumps here and unlike our rural foxes the urbans have no fear of humans they end up attacking livestock in broad daylight and being shot by the outraged farmer I think humanly destroying these4 problem foxes is much better than causing stress to both foxes and people cocerned

    28 Feb 2011 4:45 PM

    Report Abuse

  • smudge wrote:

    small minded bloody tree huggers !!! take a look at the bigger picture ! they need to be controlled !

    30 Jan 2011 9:50 PM

    Report Abuse

  • moira burns wrote:

    i agree with most comments left how pathetic has one to be posting his cheesie grin at killing this beautiful animal he should be struck off,mind lets you see what a sado he is

    30 Jan 2011 6:54 PM

    Report Abuse

  • smiffie wrote:

    Perhaps Mr Talbot knows something about the missing gun dogs...........have you trapped them and put them down for no reason what so ever?

    16 Jan 2011 10:54 PM

    Report Abuse

  • smiffie wrote:

    I find it absolutely astounding that this man would willingly have his photograph taken and put in the local newspaper. Why is he not ashamed of himself. I love animals, and would be devastated if my cat was killed by a fox.....however the article doesn't actually say that the fox killed the cat, and for god's sake it was 19 years old.

    Having been in the local newspaper myself I know that you have to contact KM for many of the articles. Why would someone who is supposed to care for animals contact the newspapers for this.

    I would never take my animals there, and couldn't agree more with John.

    This man should lose his job

    16 Jan 2011 10:51 PM

    Report Abuse

  • stuart wrote:

    Mark
    No i dont think it is...... he is still on tv so it cant be.... foxy bingo.com

    16 Jan 2011 8:04 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Mark wrote:

    Is it that fox that advertises Bingo on TV in a suit?

    14 Jan 2011 3:16 PM

    Report Abuse

  • jamie west wrote:

    mr.keith talbot,i would sincerely like to 'humanely put you down',(verbally,of course).who made you judge and jury? i put this to you;looking at that smug grin on your face;that you did infact sexually pleasure yourself with this poor animal,after you murdered it.while it was still warm.probably.

    14 Jan 2011 11:51 AM

    Report Abuse

  • AL wrote:

    People are always going on about foxes killing their chickens, if the chickens were allowed to roam free and roost in trees like they do in the wild they would not have such problems! leave the foxes alone and I think this man is an absolute disgrace and should be ashamed of himself for murdering such a beautiful animal.

    14 Jan 2011 8:43 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Jean Gilliard wrote:

    I couldn't agree more with Evelyn. How can he look so pleased at killing a beautiful animal !!!
    We have always had cats and it is the cats who see the foxes off.

    13 Jan 2011 9:59 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Evelyn wrote:

    He's supposed to be a vet! Displaying this animal in this way, as if it's his 'trophy killing' is disgusting. It's shameful.

    11 Jan 2011 10:59 PM

    Report Abuse

  • catherine wrote:

    (stuart) was that about my comment ?

    11 Jan 2011 9:17 PM

    Report Abuse

  • stuart wrote:

    David bellamies.
    T
    hats 3 points you made.... as you can not count im afraid your comment is void.

    11 Jan 2011 6:11 PM

    Report Abuse

  • catherine wrote:

    i dont think it is right to kill a fox and then exsplot it on the news.
    i kno it wasnt right that it killd the cat but true fact that thay only seek out animals that have a illness and that are week thats when that tern on them the cat should not be let out till the morning well trapping it and killing the poor thing is nastie it should not be alowd just because thay are vets. people shouldnt enjoty that it has bn killd its horrible and i dont agree it should be band completly

    11 Jan 2011 4:07 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Foxtrot Oscar wrote:

    Fantastic Mr Fox will never bother Boggis, Bunce and Bean again!

    11 Jan 2011 2:05 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Think on wrote:

    What are you lot thinking? This man humanely put down a rogue animal, it happens all over the world every single day. The fact that he is a vet only means that mr fox's demise was quick and painless, unlike the cat (which I agree should have been allowed to go outside and sit in it's favourate place 19years old or not.) As for calling to report this man to the Royal College just how many times during his career do you think he is going to be called appon to put an animal down? This is actually all he did and he did so for a valid reason.

    11 Jan 2011 12:31 PM

    Report Abuse

  • David Bellamies wrote:

    2 points.

    1. If this so called 'fox' is dead, why is he climbing a ladder.

    2. This man could be a dwarf for all we know, thus distorting the picture.

    3. I like nothing better than fox simmered in its own blood, so I'll gladly take custody of this beast. DEAD OR ALIVE.

    11 Jan 2011 11:32 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Frankie Boyle wrote:

    Q: What is the difference between a dog and a fox?

    A: About five drinks.

    11 Jan 2011 7:50 AM

    Report Abuse

  • John wrote:

    Its always best to stick to the facts. 2 foxes were caught and killed by the vet, so which one killed his cat?
    secondly, last yr a woman put a cat in a bin, remember. another act of cruelty. there was a public outcry, and the woman mary bale was , prosecuted, disgraced and lost her job. perhaps mr Talbot, may also have time to refelect on the wisdom, of his unwarranted slaughter. the field sports society also have offered a reward of 100 pounds to anyone-with photo evidence. presumably the vet whose address and practice is readily available on the net. may yet indeed consider his actions to be morally and financially foolish, as there are those who would probly not trust their animal to a cruel person such as this. some people aso take great exception to the perpetrators of cruelty.

    I urge other readers to complain to the royal college of vets.

    11 Jan 2011 12:42 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Gabriella Coscia wrote:

    Should he be a vet with his morals. Grinning like a cheshire cat. What was a 19 year old that's a pensioner to you and me cat doing outside in the cold.

    Sorry, I don't feel killing a fox is justified unless there is a real threat to human life

    He should be prosecuted not treated as a hero. Shameful for a vet to behave in this manner

    I would not take my cat to him.

    That poor sweet fox will be terribly missed by his wife and kids - and he is a rather attractive fox too

    10 Jan 2011 6:37 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Dr Gary Robot wrote:

    Seems Basil has had a brush... with death!

    10 Jan 2011 4:28 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Mod Scooter Boi wrote:

    Does Mr Talbot still have the foxes tail? I need one for my Vespa!

    10 Jan 2011 4:01 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Idinnaehaeaboaby wrote:

    Everyone knows foxes are evil, remember what happened to the Gingerbread Man......

    10 Jan 2011 3:48 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Lord Sir Barry Czechoslovakia III wrote:

    So, what? That's a mere rodent! I had a wolf in my garden the other day in Lenham, which I entrapped with my own hands (no traps needed). I keep him as a pet now a kind of "guard wolf" to frighten off the burglars and murderers.

    Last year, I went one better than even that, as I had a grizzly bear in my garden. I tried to negotiate with him (Dr Doolittlle style), but he got a bit lairy, so I had to have a punch up with him. After 8 rounds, his corner threw the towel in and I put a lead on him and donated him to London Zoo, where he is kept in a comfy 8ft x 8ft cage.

    I think my experience show that there is no need for traps or general butchery of god's good creatures, just a little bit of persuasion is required; at worst all that is needed is a bit of "slap n tickle" or fisticuffs! I would suggest that vet, Dr Talbot, instead of purporting to practice as a vet, commissions a new violent series of All Creatures Great and Small, where he replaces Jim Herriott and goes around beheading ferrets, pistol slapping greyhounds and knee-capping Alsatians - in today's society, it could be a winner!

    10 Jan 2011 3:04 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Labs wrote:

    Great, well done!! foxes are always jumping over the highest fence you can buy and trying to take my chickens. The law even protects them, I read on the net that you get 6 months & £5000 fine if you kill a fox (but you can't press any charges, when a fox breaks, enters and kills your pets).

    What a great country we all live in.

    10 Jan 2011 3:00 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Victoria wrote:

    Im discusted at this story. a 19 year old cat should have been in doors in that weather and probably died from cold. A vet should not take the life of a healthly animal for that reason anyway. I think foxs behavoiur has been tainted by a few urban storys(for the press) If animal is causing a nusiance then there are other ways of dealing, like rehoming. Im glad i dont use this vet as he has a warped sense of animal welfare

    10 Jan 2011 2:57 PM

    Report Abuse

  • MiltonCreekisagreatplacetoswim wrote:

    You people have too much time on your hands. This barely qualifies as news.

    10 Jan 2011 1:53 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Rachel wrote:

    Foxy Loxy got what he deserved – RIP Chicken Licken, Henny Penny, Cocky Locky, Ducky Lucky, Drakey Lakey, Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey.

    10 Jan 2011 1:29 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Fox Fearer wrote:

    I have lived in Rainham for 10 years and the family of foxes living in the bushes of the bungalows opposite are getting more and more brazen every year - to the point I fear they may one day enter into someones house via summer wide patio doors and take more than the family cat!! There is no doubt some baiting etc should be undertaken in Medway to diminish this growing threat.

    10 Jan 2011 10:47 AM

    Report Abuse

  • John wrote:

    A Rachel. sound like a nice couple. nuffin clever about butchering wild animals.

    10 Jan 2011 9:30 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Rachel wrote:

    Excellent news - well done to Mr Talbot - myself and my husband support you totally and would have done just the same. Thank you!

    09 Jan 2011 8:56 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Niall wrote:

    Oh, and just one other thing, there was the little matter of the competition being run by the field sports people to find Britains largest fox. D' yr think this might have provided the added incentive?
    As I say, BIG OWN-GOAL!

    09 Jan 2011 7:15 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Niall wrote:

    Hugh, (or should I call you Keith? or is it Roy?) I must commend you on your attempt at reasoned comment whilst there is a lot of histeria around but let's get a few things straight. eg.
    TWO foxes were killed, one obvioulsly a very young small one which then exaggerates the comparitive size of the the larger, a point even noted by the Field Sports supporter on UTube.
    The foxes are not urban foxes. Anyone watching the UTube posting can see that the background is complete open countryside.
    We only have your word(sorry, Keiths) that any harm came to any cat (that part was conveniently omitted from the posting).
    If the cat was attacked there was more than an even chance it was probably already dead, bearing in mind there was snow on the ground, sub-zero temps and the cat was aged 19! Even if it wasn't it was a soft target and should perhaps have been kept indoors (I myself had a very elderly cat which was kept in overnight).
    The whole episode has been staged-managed to co-incide with what would have been the traditional hunting season and what better emotive subject than Kitty getting mauled by a super mutant fox.
    The posing of a 7 year old next the fox is to put it mildly, distasteful, and indeed, any posing in front of dead animals harks back to a less than pround part of our past.
    Now, we also have to look at where the story comes from. The 2 protagonists in this sorry episode are both hunting enthusiats - FACT! So, the report can hardly be seen to be unbiased. Also, apart from being reported on the Field Sports Channel (preaching to the converted there) it appears in the good old sensionalistic Daily Mail as well. Good old Tory paper the Mail and one which has more than a passing sympathy with the Countyside Alliance!
    So what to do now. I suggest anyone who uses Mr. Talbots vets practice to consider if they really want this sort of person handling their animals, anyone who uses Roy Lupton as a Financial Advistor consider if their investments are as ethical as they would want and finally - STOP READING THE DAILY MAIL!
    I would also suggest that Keith ought to do the decent thing and publically apologise for the whole sorry saga.
    As one last footnote, I do believe, and take some comfort from, the fact that the hunting fraternity has scored the most spectacular own-goal with this one!

    09 Jan 2011 7:05 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Laura wrote:

    I think that a lot of people have just jumped on a bandwagon here, and just have too much to say that is not relevant.
    Due to increased urbanisation humans are reducing the natural habitat of foxes, and therefore they are forced to seek food and shelter in urban areas.
    It isn't wrong for a fox to kill it is simply it's natural behaviour.
    All animal owners, have a responsibility to protect their animals, be it chickens, cats and so on, so if you have unfortunately had a fox kill your pet chickens or cats then some of the blame lies with you as an owner, for not providing appropriate shelter for your pets.I dread to think how many doormice, birds (and even a squirrel on one occasion)my cat has bought home this year.
    I hate that he plays with creatures until they are dead and leaves them layed out for me, however I would be upset if someone killed my cat.
    An eye for an eye would leave the whole world blind!
    It is hardly relevant to discuss the issues of foxes and livestock on farms as this
    This has nothing to do with this particular news story and although a hot topic of conversation causes the discussion to digress towards fox hunting issues and so on, as is also the issue of vegitarianism and animal activism, as some of you have bought this up, because the intention of killing this fox was in no way to make shoes or the provide meat for consumption, so to judge someone's opinion on this matter as hypoctritical as they wear leather shoes is irrelevant.
    I think we all need to consider that wild animals share our envionment because we make it so easy for them. Maybe if the council collected the bins when they were suppossed to and we were more careful with our litter then such animals would not be tempted into our cities.
    No animal poses a threat to us unless it itself feels threatened, as pointed out by so many of you.
    I personally find this image appaling, as a vet has a duty of care towards all animals.
    In the past I have taken all manner of wild animals to a vet, hedgehogs, squirrels and even a fox, and I dread to think that a vet would simply put such an animal down.
    I also think that to pose in this manner for the worlds press sends out a message of support for hunting accross the world, which is not acceptable given the decline of wild animals and the extinction of many species in the last two centuries.
    I learnt in primary school about a tiger which was one of eight of it's species left in the world and I remember crying about this as I was worried my little sister who hadn't been born yet wouldn't get to see a tiger.
    Having said all I have to say I am now going to donate some money to an animal charity.

    09 Jan 2011 2:06 PM

    Report Abuse

  • John wrote:

    Re-reading the story, i think the vet may have broken the law, as i think the only way to kill a fox legally is by shooting it.

    08 Jan 2011 10:51 AM

    Report Abuse

  • yvonne broomfiled wrote:

    my did he need to kill the fox ???????

    08 Jan 2011 5:32 AM

    Report Abuse

  • John wrote:

    Cmon, kentonline, show a bit of dignity, first a picture of a murdered cat, now a grinning vet, (looks like a an early trophy hunter-in africa). with a body of a fox.

    There really is no need, to show these pictures. remeber tigers and lions, and awful the populus thought they were.

    07 Jan 2011 8:33 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Daphne Ligthart wrote:

    Hugh, with all due respect your argument is irrelevant to the report in question. Animals getting killed for commercial reasons (in respect of their fur, skin, meat being used) is another moral question alltogether and not one I wish to go into on this occasion for that reason.

    I have had some rescued ex battery hens be killed by a fox and had to take responsibility for that myself (I had not locked them up at night). I have also owned a smallholding so I have noticed the difference in urban and rural foxes. I do not believe that foxes will kill a healthy cat nor do I believe a fox will kill a healthy lamb (yes I have owned sheep too)and reports of foxes entering houses in order to attack children in their beds are far fetched and not substanciated by any evidence.

    Foxes will simply breed less cubs if there is little food supply, nature has a clever way to deal with such issues without the need for human intervention.

    I would love to discuss with you in more detail, however I have other things to crack on with and feel that you are going off topic with involving dogs biting children into this conversation, which I feel is rather clutching at straws. I wish you a happy fox free weekend!

    07 Jan 2011 5:47 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Hugh wrote:

    Daphne, thanks for your reply. The relevance of the questions is to get people to think about the reasonableness of their objections they are not directed directly at you. I am not trying to steriotype in the least. If someone objects to the killing of the fox it is reasonable to ask why they feel it is acceptable for other animals to be killed, in many cases for the convenience and comfort of humans. As for researching fox behaviour, i know much about the subject and in fact can say that the behaviour of foxes in rural environments and urban environments is very different. Foxes very rarely exist in packs, transient family groups occur throughout the season but they are not true pack animals. I agree with you that thye will only exist where there is food. But simply removing food sources such as bins and whiskas put out for foxes specifically will not make urban foxes disappear, rather they will be forced to find alternative food sources, like poultry, or cats (no i am not being provocative) if you remove all food sources for a fox, what else does it have? starvation? I agree with you that in shooting one fox a void is created that will quickly be filled but it is the undesirable habits of the individual fox that are the problem (killing a cat) and thus need to be removed. A similar situation, albeit much less serious, as when a lion turns to man eating and needs to be detroyed to protect human lives. Most lions do not kill people routinely, occasionally one does and needs to be dealt with accordingly, the remaining ones being left unaffected. Also on the subject of emotion, have you ever needed to euthanase a healthy dog which has bitten a child because the child was teasing it? or a healthy cat as the owners could not decide who was to have it in a divorce? The obligations of a vet are to prevent animal suffering. Which is not necessarily the same as treating an animal. I hope you dont find this comment antagonistic as this is not my intention.

    07 Jan 2011 5:22 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Daphne Ligthart wrote:

    And in response to Hugh can you please explain the relevance of eating meat in relation to this story? Are you trying to stereotype everybody protesting as vegetarian hippies? Or suggest that only if we are we can respond to this?

    Please research the behaviour of foxes and you'll find your answers there or are you after a cheap kick out of posing totally irrelevant questions on an emotive topic? I live in a town centre, I own two cats and keep chickens and we have an urban fox in the neighbourhood. I lock my hens at night and have often seen the cats sit on the same wall as the fox, literally only yards apart. No one gets hurt. Foxes will only exist where food is available so take away the food supply and the fox will leave, shoot one fox and another will take it's place. It's rather simple really! No crime was committed as such although as a vet Mr Talbot has an obligation to treat wild animals, not to shoot a perfectly heathy specimen and pose rather smug with his 'victim'.

    07 Jan 2011 5:01 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Hugh wrote:

    Is it moral to kill a healthy animal? Interesting question. See question 7 and 8 of my previous comment. If you answer yes to either of them (use leather goods, certain cosmetics, many sweets) then you are supporting an industry that kills millions of healthy animals every year. I agree it is media sensationalisation which has detracted from the original story that was intended to illustrate the impact human actions is having on the urban fox population. It is nothing to do with being pro bloodsports, it is a piece to encourage people to see that controls are needed for the urban fox population as human influences are leading to them to increase in such a way as to have negative impacts on humans (a whole other debate) what if someone driving through a town swerves to avoid a fox, loses control of their vehicle and injurs or kills a pedestrian, who id to blame (if anyone) should something have been done to avoid this occurrence?

    07 Jan 2011 4:53 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Daphne Ligthart wrote:

    What an utterly pointless fabricated story by the ever pro-hunt KM. As a vet is it moral for Mr Talbot to kill a healthy animal? I rather suspect it is not. He trapped it and humanely put it down but clearly wants publicity by stringing it up by means of a meat hook. I would not like him to be my vet, that's for sure!! Since when are foxes pack animals? Poor sensationalist and biased reporting once again. I smell a great big pro bloodsports rat here! It's boring, find something useful to do Mr Talbot and find something you have researched appropriately to report on KM!!

    07 Jan 2011 4:43 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Hugh wrote:

    Just a few questions.

    1. What crime was committed?
    2. Any animal cruelty?
    3. Did you check your facts? (cats body was in pieces)
    4. Please name the natural predator of foxes in an urban environment?
    5. What happens when there are simply too many?
    6. What if it were your cat?
    7. Do you eat meat?
    8. Do you make use of animal derived products?

    Just a few questions to those of you who feel so strongly against this. I anyone has the courage to reply then maybe we can have a sensible discussion?

    07 Jan 2011 4:37 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Angelica wrote:

    DISGUSTING... And to think this crime was committed by a vet, Have you no shame. You must be insane to think this fox would have had anything to do with your 19yr cat dying, I think it's more likely that the cat was old. If the fox had of killed it, it would have dragged the body away to eat. Senseless and void of any human feeling Mr Talbot. You make me feel shame that I am a part of the same species as you.

    07 Jan 2011 2:59 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Steve Piper wrote:

    Very sad and pointless, the story mentions foxes live in small packs and this beautiful creature is going to be replaced by another one in seconds, just pointless killing. I'm so relieved that most of the people where I live don't realise we have foxes, they don't do any harm at all and are thoroughly dominated over by the local cats, I doubt even a big fox would try to kill one; not in their behaviour and too much of a risk picking up a serious injury from the cat when there are probably a ton of small mammals all over the place. Obliteration of any nature we take a dislike to is one of the saddest traits of our "superior" species.

    07 Jan 2011 1:33 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Sense and Reason wrote:

    People make me laugh, some of you are talking as though a fox the size of a rhino broke in to his house with a knife and tried mating with his wife. It's ridiculous, it's a big fox, not a dinosaur, the vet shouldn't have killed it, we don't kill humans for getting too tall, do we?

    But by some of your logic we probably should just incase he eats your cats.

    Unbelievable.

    07 Jan 2011 12:02 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Gail Austen-Price wrote:

    Was it a slow news day? What poor reporting, especially highlighting the very dubious story about the attack (there are many inconsistencies and the father has a senior position in the company that makes Panorama). Yet again, there appears to be a drastic action taken without any real proof. "Thought to have grown...dustbins" - really? I think a lot of things, but does that make it a point to report? Cats spread disease and kill millions of animals every year, but when they come into my garden, I have to tolerate them, because the world isn't about killing things that don't fit into my way of thinking.

    07 Jan 2011 10:22 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Trevor Williams wrote:

    Haven't seen a shred of evidence that can't have been concocted. Even the photo is taken from an angle - and with the dead animal carefully arranged - to make it look much bigger than it is. You can practically smell the agenda. Pure bloodsports propaganda. Man in the pic is a notorious trophy hunter - brags of 18 trips to Africa to kill for fun, shoots foxes and deer, hunts hares routinely. You'll find him all over Youtube on video nasties, killing things for fun. He's a leading light on a disgusting online site promoting bloodsports and that's where this story was first reported - surprise, surprise! Nothing about the story holds water and I've no doubt it's designed to support this governments plan to legalise fox, hare, stag and otter hunting all over again. What kind of vet has mates like these?

    07 Jan 2011 9:28 AM

    Report Abuse

  • wildkite wrote:

    there are some very scary comments here. all I can say is if our response to an animal being bigger than the average for the species is to kill it ( "humanely" ), there are an awful lot of people, to say nothing of dogs and cats, that should think twice about going out

    07 Jan 2011 8:23 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Julie wrote:

    What right did he have to kill the fox, and then to show it off in such a degrading way, hung up on a large hook through its lower jaw if you look closely. I think he should be ashamed of himself, especially as a vet!

    06 Jan 2011 9:21 PM

    Report Abuse

  • stuart wrote:

    Dan,
    What on earth are you going on about? I havnt seen a cat as big as a fox, no..... Not sure why that is relevant....
    Your family friend has a dog that would over power a fox.... yet u wouldnt go near the fox... do you walk their dog alot....

    06 Jan 2011 8:18 PM

    Report Abuse

  • dan wrote:

    it is only a fox at the end of the day dirty pests. to everyone saying cats and dogs are just as bad, have you ever seen a domestic cat this big? unlikely! A family friend has a jap akita that would over power this pest yet i wouldnt go near a living fox of that size. As previously said fox's aint scared of humans no more.

    06 Jan 2011 8:00 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Human rights wrote:

    Im afraid I stand by my statement that people come before animals every time. I am no animal hater having had and have many pets but animals are not on the same level as humans,times are changing and not for the better where our rights are concerned.

    06 Jan 2011 7:42 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Andi wrote:

    (Message for 243 Operator)
    Fair enough but I'll wager than many more people get sick from all the dog mess left everywhere by irresponsible dog owners than from fox mess!

    06 Jan 2011 7:24 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Andi wrote:

    This is a contentious issue and I have not been surprised to see such mixed responses. I know foxes can be a problem but this article fails to give any evidence that the cat was killed by a fox. For all we know the 19 year old cat lay down and died! Foxes and other 'vermin' as some people call them are only successful because we are so numerous, wasteful and untidy. The foxes success was due to its close proximity to man....like so much other wildlife it was obviously also it's downfall. I'm a people person too but I do not support the last view that we are 'more important' than wildlife. We need to remember that we are part of nature....not above it. What other animal has spread as much as we have.....vermin make be closer to home than you think!

    06 Jan 2011 7:01 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Human rights wrote:

    When are people going to realise humans are more important than animals.

    06 Jan 2011 5:23 PM

    Report Abuse

  • darrell wrote:

    I love Fox's. Humans should not play god. Live and let live.

    06 Jan 2011 2:40 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Countrydweller wrote:

    Foxes don't always kill only for food, as many people here say. Neither do cats, and certainly neither do humans.
    What a shame that what should be a discussion has to deteriorate to people insulting each other, disregarding others point of view, attacking them verbally, and generally muddying the waters.
    I would not have shot the fox, any more than I would shoot the sparrow hawk who takes collared doves over my garden, or my neighbour's cat who stalks and eats the goldfinches, blackcaps and firecrests that visit my feeders.
    That is my opinion, which I feel entitled to express.

    06 Jan 2011 2:19 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Baldric. wrote:

    No need for him to look quite so smug in the photo, he looks as if he enjoyed the kill, probably a 'closet' hunter, for that reason alone I would not let him near any domestic animal of mine.

    06 Jan 2011 1:29 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Robert wrote:

    It's murder, nothing more nothing less.
    The 19 year old cat was attacked? Cats should be indoor and so should this hunter.
    Yes, hunter. He's clearly enjoying his catch.
    Foxes open bins? get a decent bin!
    And they cost us money? Well, guess that's the real problem for the farmers, as usual.
    And just as usual, the animals must pay the price for that.
    Go vegan.

    06 Jan 2011 1:24 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Elaine wrote:

    This size of fox is not uncommon. Our dog came face to face with one that was the same size as he was some years ago. Our dog was a full grown Old English Sheepdog. We chased off the fox as our dog ran away in fright. This was in our garden in rural Swanley.

    06 Jan 2011 12:55 PM

    Report Abuse

  • //////// wrote:

    Two things.

    1. Kinda reminds me of the Animal Hunters with their prize trophies which is not the ideal image when dealing with what so many people see is a problem.

    2. If we can sit in judgement on the rest of the animal kindgdom in this manner. Why can't we exterminate (humanly)Rapists, murderers and the like???

    06 Jan 2011 12:24 PM

    Report Abuse

  • The cub wrote:

    I have seen the destruction and killing these predators do if the fox got in to your chicken pen it would just kill 1 and go it would kill them all and only take 1 this is a problem fox the man is a good vet and he is only doing what should of been done if you want i will trap all the foxes by me and release them in your garden see how long your cat lasts

    06 Jan 2011 12:19 PM

    Report Abuse

  • r.a.w. surrey wrote:

    well im a young and up coming farmer and i say we need all the help we can get with this highly damaging predator which is vermin in its trueist form. no matter how sweet and fluffy you townies and bunny huggers say they are these predators cost us money and need to be dealt with and dispatched in a humane mannner to help avoid this problem. even if these town foxes were released in the country all a fox knows is dustbin= food and it would starve to death because it would not know how to hunt prey and survive out of its habitat it is used in the city. good on the fella for dispatching such vermin.

    06 Jan 2011 11:32 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Graham Igglesden wrote:

    For Fox' sake stop moaning.:-)

    06 Jan 2011 11:21 AM

    Report Abuse

  • .SonyaConlin wrote:

    I have read all the comments with interest I am a pet lover I have two cats of my own. I find it abhor able that a that a vet of all people would kill such a lovely creature humanly or not. I was badly bitten by a cat that insists on coming through my catflap and attacking my cats. I developed septicemic and have been left with a bad scar. Should I kill this cat if I could NO it is surviving the best way it knows hows I do wish I could catch it though because I dont think it is feral I think it is homeless maybe left when someone moved because he was out in all the freezing weather I made him a shelter in the garden where he could get out of it if he wanted.
    My own cats were born of a feral cat and as such are still suspicious of humans even at the age of 14 though they have tempered slightly now. If I talk to someone they know they can.

    06 Jan 2011 11:10 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Trevor Williams wrote:

    Story launched on Boxing Day. Bloodsports fraternity's big day when they generally come up with an anti-fox story to support it. They're particularly annoyed this year because Cameron's government has more anti-hunt Tory MPs than has ever previously existed and he can't hope to get the Hunting Act repealed. It's no surprise both the vet and the fox shooter are bloodsporters.

    12kg is 2kg more than the biggest fox ever recorded and we have no independent verification of this one's 'record weight' - and, mark my words, we won't get it, either.

    Fox killed cat as prey? Why didn't it eat it then? Why, instead, did it conveniently leave the body on the doorstep of the bloodsporting vet's family? Was it even killed at all? Did the cat even exist? Are readers really gullible enough to accept the word of self-interested bloodsporters?

    06 Jan 2011 10:11 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Mark wrote:

    There we are. There is your 'big cat' sightings explained.

    06 Jan 2011 5:17 AM

    Report Abuse

  • The cub wrote:

    If you lived in the country you would understand what damage the fox does this was a problem fox so for all the city slickers i hope a fox doesnt take your cat because the cute little fuzzy wuzzy fox will take what ever it can given the chance

    06 Jan 2011 1:36 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Andy wrote:

    the thing that annoys me apart from the killing of an innocent wild animal for no reason
    is that is is looked upon as OK to kill a fox in your back garden when he will do you no harm but if you killed a burglar who is intent on doing you harm one way or another you would get locked up perhaps we should all kill the burglars and feed them to the giant foxs no evidence for the police and another creature that dosnt deserve to live(burglar) giving life to one that dose

    05 Jan 2011 10:05 PM

    Report Abuse

  • suz wrote:

    does anyone know whereabouts in maidstone or the surrounding area the fox was found? Anyone think it has a mate? or a big brother!

    05 Jan 2011 9:52 PM

    Report Abuse

  • person in kent wrote:

    First of all you are all doing what the media does by the way you are ripping into the vet. This is not a trophy killing its the culling of a rogue fox which was free to kill all of the local pets. Also photographs never tell the whole truth they are just a nano second of time forced by the photographer. Have you asked the vet if he agreed to going public, no, and my guess is that he never agreed to it. It will be the person with the camera who has made this public. As for vets looking after animals, he has, your pets are now safer. Give the guy a break!

    05 Jan 2011 7:04 PM

    Report Abuse

  • JK wrote:

    Well, I've never heard such a load of old cobblers in all my days! A fox that will carry off a small child?? don't be stupid, so what if the cat was killed by a fox, that's still no excuse to kill the fox. A fact of life is that animals kill animals, all part of the food chain, let nature be nature.

    05 Jan 2011 6:01 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Shelley wrote:

    Seriously?? All this is over 2 dead foxes out 34,000 (according to article)??? Have you seen how many foxes get squashed on roads? Are you going to get a ban on cars? will you still feel this way when foxes the size of wolves are roaming England?
    Better you donate money to WWF or your local wildlife rescue group and worry about some of our endangered species.

    05 Jan 2011 2:08 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Shelly wrote:

    So human waste disposal is more imprtant than an animal's life Slim? Maybe a more reponsible policy towards rubbish disposal would be the answer rather than killing things. And while most dog owners are responsible about their pets' behaviour this is not the case for all dog owners or else there would n't be as many dog attacks as there are. Statistically you are far more likely to be attacked by a domestic dog than a fox, even a large fox.

    05 Jan 2011 1:41 PM

    Report Abuse

  • matt wrote:

    More like, this guy saw this large fox in the garden on a few nights and thought Wow, If i kill that i can pose for loads of pictures and be known as the killer of the "Giant fox"

    05 Jan 2011 1:40 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Sophie R frm Maidstone wrote:

    (MESSAGE FOR SHELLY)

    You are most certainly a bitter, spiteful old lady.
    Is it really necessary to put me down about my language, spelling etc? No!! We are talking about foxes not how well someone can speak or how well someone can spell.

    Really think before making personal comments!! One step too far, i think.

    Im glad i wouldn't be horrible to somebody because of the way they can't spell or talk properly, it's about trying & helping! Your called lowest of the low....

    05 Jan 2011 1:31 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Slim wrote:

    Less bins sliced open at night and eaten. Everyone's a winner....

    05 Jan 2011 1:27 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Julie wrote:

    As far as I'm concerned, I wish more cats were destroyed by foxes. I live in an area where some residents have four or five cats per household, they are a complete nuisance, especially when I have to clean up their mess most mornings outside my front door! How come cat owners are allowed to get away with not cleaning up there pets mess but not dog owners? I think it's a crying shame that this beautiful animal was killed by some idiot, who had nothing better to do and thought he was being a hero!

    05 Jan 2011 1:23 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Shelley wrote:

    Firstly - well done that man. If that was a dog (an lets face it it's the same size as one) that had killed a cat it would have been put down (aka killed). Due to sympathetic well doers foxes are no longer scared of humans. I have lived in countryside and urban environments and whilst I believe no animal should be hunted for sport I believe that in some circumstances culling is needed. In urban areas foxes are bold and dangerous - you only need to search the web to see increasing attacks on small humans. Foxes are opportunists and will hunt and attack anything they can, they are not selective hunters, killing above their need for food. Whilst I don't think we should all run out and start slaughtering foxes I do believe the right thing was done here. For those who think dogs are more dangerous: I'd rather be confronted by someone walking their family pet than a wild fox of this size.

    05 Jan 2011 12:59 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Mike wrote:

    Whilst out with my dogs in Marden this morning, we disturbed a very large fox, the size of a large Labrador, it was very dark in colour appearing almost black.
    It took off with my young Labrador chasing it but was much quicker & soon vanished into the woods two fields away.
    perhaps we are breeding anew large strain round here !!

    05 Jan 2011 11:19 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Shelly wrote:

    Quite simply, this man should not have killed the fox. I have two cats of my own - they don't hunt as they go out only when supervised, which also means they don't become victims themselves, of dogs, car accidents, the local teenagers with pellet guns, or anything else. We live semi-rurally so do see quite a number of foxes. However, one of the reasons we see so many in our area is that there is so much house building going on, destroying and taking over the foxes' wild habitat. Where exactly would these people like the foxes to move too? Habitat loss is one of the prime reasons that we are losing so much wildlife in this country and most people (which the exception of the hysterical few) feel it is a privilege to be able to see wildlife at close quarters. The vet's parents should have taken greater respo9nsibility for their elderly cat - I can understand how upset they must be, but vigilante-style response is reprehensible. This man should be prosecuted for cruelty. he would certainly have been prosecuted had he gone out and "humanely" destroyed a pet dog when there was little or no evidence that he had caught the actual perpetrator. As for the hysterical reaction of many of the commentators, these are based on fear of the unknown - try getting to know your subject a bit more before you decide you want to hunt it down and kill it - the fox is not a dangerous criminal with intent to harm you, it is a wild creature doing it's best to survive in a world which humans have altered immeasurably, particularly in modern times. And a message for Sophie R - go back to school and relearn your language!

    05 Jan 2011 10:19 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Lady in Kent wrote:

    I was not aware of this story - I spotted a large fox, almost wolf-like in the Penenden Heath area last night, it was about 2ft away from me, and seemed to appear very tame but spooked me! It just stood looking at me! It didn't look like the average mangey looking fox, as I say, was beautiful looking, but massive!

    05 Jan 2011 9:13 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Stuart wrote:

    Geoff.
    I'm not so sure that the foxes were aware we have stopped hunting them..... Or did we write to them all?
    They do still get hunted but not with a pack of hounds Geoff.

    05 Jan 2011 7:03 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Helen wrote:

    A fox allegedly kills a cat then lots of comments. A woman dies several days after road accident, then very few comments. Such are the values of Kent people!

    04 Jan 2011 11:38 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Geoff wrote:

    Since the Ban Foxes have got less scared of humans to the stage the do not run away like they should they sit in the corner of gardens, fields and watch them past. during the cold snap We had one so close recently when out walking it snuck up behind us investigating. So close that I needed to make contact with my foot to make it run off . If people stop feeding them, there would not be such a problem.

    04 Jan 2011 11:33 PM

    Report Abuse

  • John wrote:

    could we set the vet a task to find the person that hung the cat on the fence on the other story. Perhaps he could put whoever did that down too.

    All the vet has shown is that Darwin was right.

    In truth he is a trophy hunter, his picture, his reputation for the "humanity" he applied in the murder of the fox.

    Pet cats kill boirds in my garden, does that make them legitimate targets?

    04 Jan 2011 11:30 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Dan wrote:

    Hmmmm. This makes me mad.

    Now, The Red fox being a NATIVE species kills a domesticated pet cat? and the fox gets the blame and killed?. Now unless the family illegally had a native pet 'Scottish Wildcat' I cant see why this was needed?. Typical vet, probably knows more about pet cats and dogs than native wildlife!.

    And before all you 'chicken' people start ranting. I KEEP HENS! I ALSO SUPPLEMENTARY FEED MY LOCAL WILD FOXES OCCASIONALLY ON DINNER SCRAPS AND I ALSO WORK IN BRITISH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. I spent a lot of money to house my hens in a fully enclosed large (half our garden) foxproof, badger proof, stoat proof, just about everything proof enclosure. I get great pleasure from our local wild foxes and if they happen to somehow take some of my 'non native domesticated' walking hamburgers then its my own fault. NOT THE FOXES.

    04 Jan 2011 11:03 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Marc wrote:

    What a complete idiot. A fox kills a cat, so this idiot kills two foxes (one being the largest found in Britian). Does he have proof one of these foxes did the deed. indeed, was a cat even killed?
    What happens now, do we have to kill 3 humans because one killed 2 foxes. Pathetic. I'd like to wipe that smug smile right off his face.
    There are plenty of wildlife centres around that would of taken in the animal. This makes me sick.

    04 Jan 2011 10:44 PM

    Report Abuse

  • pedro wrote:

    do any of the people that post comments know anything about foxes and the damage they can cause? only kill what they need.. ha ha what a joke, i have seen them snip the heads off 30 chickens in a pen and take 1 away yet leave the rest. For people that have businesses that vermin like foxes can affect i see no reason why not to shoot or hunt them.

    04 Jan 2011 10:16 PM

    Report Abuse

  • anon wrote:

    To the people who suggest keeping pets indoors so foxes don't attack them, i have foxes in my garden during the day, am i to keep my pets prisoners indoors for these vermin.
    too many foxes being fed by do-gooders that are actually doing more harm. cull is nescessary sooner or later.

    04 Jan 2011 9:10 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Nobby wrote:

    Here we go again. So-called "country folk" trying to justify the unjustifyable. MAYBE the fox did kill the cat (although I have my doubts)- that's nature. The one saving grace is at least the vet put it down rather than hunting it down and ripping it to shreds but I think this has more to do with trophy hunting than any act of kindess on his part. Contrary to what is printed in the press foxes do NOT attack people (the one, solitary case mentioned in the article has NOT, repeat NOT been proven (Sophie R take note)) and in my experience it is very rare a fox will even attack a cat, except maybe in self defence. Over the years I have had several cats and I have regularly witnessed them chasing foxes away. I fear this may just be propaganda for the field "sports" mob.

    04 Jan 2011 8:15 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Jo wrote:

    How did they know the fox killed the cat??? Did they have dna evidence, could have been a dog. Poor fox, having a hard time out in the cold starving but was this necessary, could have given it to a fox santuary. PS I am a cat lover!

    04 Jan 2011 7:26 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Basil the broom wrote:

    Good input Basil.... yawnnnn

    04 Jan 2011 7:11 PM

    Report Abuse

  • basil wrote:

    bring back the hunt

    04 Jan 2011 7:06 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Poor little foxy wrote:

    Nice spelling 'fox snipper' I think you may mean 'sniper'.....

    Sophie R, How many people have been killed by foxes? You are very dramatic. Get back to Eastenders.

    04 Jan 2011 6:58 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Ian H. wrote:

    Sophie R - I hope you are being deliberately over the top, because if you are serious, you are making yourself appear very foolish !

    One of these 'Precious' foxes is hugely unlikely to come near a person or even a small child.

    You watched and read the ridiculous articles on news last year on what these nasty foxes did, didn't you ?
    Do you believe everything you are told by the hysterical press ? Sensationalism sells you see...

    There are some very dangerous animals killing people in this country. They are called dogs...

    And yes, you should have to lock your pet up - dogs are dangerous and cats have caused huge problems for our native birds and other wildlife. Pets are their owners responsibility to control, and certainly more hazardous than foxes.

    You don't know much about foxes, do you ?

    04 Jan 2011 6:57 PM

    Report Abuse

  • giddings wrote:

    i think that is discusing,who made u god

    04 Jan 2011 6:26 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Sophie R from Maidstone wrote:

    I must admit although I am with the vet 100%, I think your going to regret going public Mr vet.
    All these do-gooders& animal rights people will just use this to cause a protest.
    I would like to see what their opinion would be if one of these 'Precious' foxes was to muller one of their pets or even worst 'kids'.

    Did no-one on here watch or read the news last year on what these nasty foxes did?.

    Infact this makes you lot more sick than the vet to not care about the welfare of actual people or pets that are loved & cherished.

    And as for some people on here saying look after your pets more, you should be done for cruelty & for being a hypocrit because why should you have to lock a pet up? why would you need to if these foxes do no harm?



    04 Jan 2011 6:24 PM

    Report Abuse

  • fox snipper wrote:

    You townys need to take a reality check. Well done that vet, but it should have been shot before it got to that size,best thing for it imoh.

    04 Jan 2011 6:17 PM

    Report Abuse

  • camille wrote:

    That vet was an idiot to go public,he ought noe to be afraid,very afraid.

    04 Jan 2011 6:06 PM

    Report Abuse

  • A.LOWE wrote:

    Oh dear another can of worms opened.Dont think l would go public though;silly man.

    04 Jan 2011 5:54 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Dren wrote:

    The title of this piece is so misleading - who decided a Fox killed a very old Cat?

    If people actually kept their pets in a secure and safe manner, wildlife wouldn't catch them. Simple.

    Maybe people will start hunting drivers who accidentally kill someones Cat that was roaming about in the road...where it doesn't belong.

    Also, I can't believe the amount of people saying it will take a child. Get real. It's a fat Fox, not a pack of Dingos.

    04 Jan 2011 5:50 PM

    Report Abuse

  • graham wrote:

    I am stunned that there is still so much disinformation spread by the media in connection with foxes. For a more balanced approached please visit fox-a-gon or the fox project.


    There is no need to kill any fox in this manner and its vacant territory will only be filled within a matter of days.

    The circumstances in this case of trapping and killing the fox is more about revenge than good animal management. I would have thought a vet would have been above this.

    04 Jan 2011 5:15 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Sam wrote:

    We had our pet rabbit and 2 guinea pigs killed by a fox the week before Christmas. We woke to find a horrific scene across our garden made more obvious by the snow. In reply to another comment, this fox definitely killed for the sake of it.
    We live mid terrace in a very built up area of Maidstone. To access our garden the fox had to leap over at least 3 six foot fences. It was definitely a fox that did it as it returned the following night.

    04 Jan 2011 4:59 PM

    Report Abuse

  • 243 Operator wrote:

    I'm still with the Vet.

    If one of your dogs developed mange out in the garden where a fox had been rolling you'd be both reliant on the Vet to fix it and out of pocket.

    Needless to say what if a fox used your garden as a toilet and one of your children developed toxoplasmosis from the present it had left then you'd be looking for someone to blame as always.

    It was lucky it didn't wander into my garden as my method wouldn't have been so humane.

    Bang!

    04 Jan 2011 4:58 PM

    Report Abuse

  • terry wrote:

    I am concerned that this person, a VET??, has trapped and killed a perfectly healthy animal for nothing but his own pleasure (Inane grin). Furthermore, I suspect this fox is in fact a Scottish fox. Another concocted fox story from the hunting fraternity I think.

    04 Jan 2011 4:57 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Sophie R from Maidstone wrote:

    One less horrible fox around.Thank god you caught this horrible beast.
    Imagine if that got into your house, you,your kids or pets would be dead.
    There is loads of foxes in my road & i hate them especially after they have rummaged through all the bins not. I sometimes get to scared to get out my car if they are on my drive because they are the only animals that hunt even when not hungry!!

    Foxes of that size are mre than capable of taking on & killing small to medium sized dogs or attacking & killing babies or toddlers.

    Well done Mr vet!

    04 Jan 2011 4:57 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Ian H. wrote:

    Corinna - 'the fox will eventually take a small child' - do me a favour. Foxes were known to be mostly harmless except to smallish livestock, until killer fox hysteria was found to sell newspapers...
    Yes, foxes will kill chickens etc. indescriminately, but that is about it...
    I'd be more worried about pet dogs. And everyone should keep their pet cats indoors - maybe the wild bird population will stand a chance of recovery then.

    04 Jan 2011 4:53 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Louise wrote:

    is it not possible that the 19 year old died of old age?!!!! the guy should be ashamed of himself, what a beautiful creature!

    04 Jan 2011 4:45 PM

    Report Abuse

  • charlie wrote:

    thats not the biggest fox ever in the uk there are confirmed weight of 30lbs plus in the last 10yrs.a scottish game keeper had one in a trap in the 80,s that weighed 33lb.if poeple stopped feeding them rubbish and let them fend for themselves nature will take care of its own.

    04 Jan 2011 4:35 PM

    Report Abuse

  • julie wrote:

    I personally agree with those who posted comments saying it was wrong to kill that beautiful creature.

    I am an animal lover and worry about the sick idiots who think it is ok to kill animals - be it hunting, road kill etc. What is wrong with people.... will we not be happy until all breeds of animals are on the verge of extinction.

    Shame on that man to call himself a vet it is disgusting!

    04 Jan 2011 4:32 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Lola wrote:

    Are vets not supposed to look after animals? So it killed his parents cat, I'm sure the cat killed a few birds in it's time just for fun, does that mean someone could put their cat down? I hope he gets sacked, a fox who's size is this rare should have been protected not killed!

    04 Jan 2011 4:15 PM

    Report Abuse

  • julia wrote:

    AndrewPink A dog fox will often grow larger than the rest of the pack because the social system means the alpha male gets most of the food. Look on Google. So you're wrong...sorry

    04 Jan 2011 4:14 PM

    Report Abuse

  • jennifer wrote:

    To everyone defending the fox, what else would have killed the cat..a pack of mice?? Have any of you seen what a fox leaves after it kills a chicken/duck or even a goose?? Thought not! Having a 'cute' little fox in your back garden is lovely..having them kill your pets is not so lovely.

    04 Jan 2011 4:07 PM

    Report Abuse

  • anne wrote:

    Jackie Whiting
    Actually foxes do kill for the sake of it, and don't eat everything they kill. We had all 12 of our chickens killed during the day, and only 2 were taken. The other 10 were left dead in the field. They are vermine and need to be controlled.

    04 Jan 2011 3:54 PM

    Report Abuse

  • penny wrote:

    To Jo

    You obviously didn't keep your cat indoors if some bloke ran it over.

    04 Jan 2011 3:48 PM

    Report Abuse

  • kazzy wrote:

    I have to say this picture is discusting. Cats die everyday by dog attacks, being run over - lots of reasons! you don't put a dog down if it goes for your cat so why a fox? I have foxes in my garden all the time and they have never bothered me. Whether it was killed humanly or not surely he should be investigated - more like he wanted to be pictured with his hunting trophy! What a idiot!

    04 Jan 2011 3:30 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Andrew Pink wrote:


    I find this event sickening! Destroying a beautiful animal such as this. I would gladly pay to see one like this in my garden.

    KM: WHO IS THE IDIOT WHO WROTE THE STORY? FOXES DO NOT HAVE PACKS, OR ALPHA MALES. THIS APPLIES TO WOLVES

    04 Jan 2011 3:06 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Don wrote:

    Foxes do not kill for fun?? Really Jackie? Some research needed i think.
    Foxes will kill even when not hungry. Anyone who keeps chickens will confirm this.
    Not too keen on this story, seems the guy is far too pleased with himself. However, lets not forget that foxes are pests and do cause massive damage, regardless of size. Controlled cull is probably the answer.

    04 Jan 2011 2:46 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Foxed By A Fox wrote:

    I saw a large fox when I was a kid and no one believed me. It wasn't even as big as that brute! :-0

    04 Jan 2011 2:38 PM

    Report Abuse

  • anon wrote:

    There are too many foxes at the moment, a cull wouldn't be too bad. for you info around here the foxes have been seen climbimg trees to kill wildbirds. They cause so much damage digging under the chicken runs, and will and do kill whatever they can, wouldn't you if you was desperate for food. This one is far too big, the bigger they are the less scared, and yes they are not scared of humans anymore

    04 Jan 2011 2:03 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Jackie Whiting wrote:

    Foxes do not kill for fun. If the fox did kill the cat and it was surplus to its immediate requirements it would have carted the carcass off and buried it for later consumption, not left it on the doorstep. Domestic cats are responsible for more of our wildlife deaths - birds, frogs, toads, slow worms etc. - than poor old foxy. And after all, if they kill chickens then aren't we responsible for putting them on the foxes territory in the first place. It's domestic cats that should be kept indoors, as in parts of Australia. The man should feel ashamed of himself, mindless grinning idiot. Hope it makes him feel big and clever.

    04 Jan 2011 1:57 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Jane Seaward wrote:

    I agree with Stuart, how thoughtful of the fox to return the cat to it's owners. Usually the aftermath of a fox attack is a few feathers or bunny fur, but the whole corpse, outrageous. Perhaps the photo would have been nicer with the fox laid on the ground, without that hook holding it up. Is an animal killing another not nature as it should be?

    04 Jan 2011 1:36 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Jo wrote:

    This is very sad all round. Standing grinning next to a corpse of a healthy and beautiful wild animal is pretty sick though Mr Talbot. I think you are a bit of a disgrace to your profession but I don't you'll lose any sleep over it. If the cat's owners knew there was a desperate fox about trying to survive during this cold hard winter I think maybe they should have kept their poor geriatric cat safe indoors (where I believe personally all cats belong, no other domestic animals are allowed to roam freely).

    I'm off the hang the bloke who ran my cat over earlier this year since that's the way we deal with stuff in this sorry country of ours.

    04 Jan 2011 1:26 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Jennie wrote:

    What a beautiful animal and how very sad it was killed. I speak as the owner of 3 cats and 7 chickens and have never had a problem with foxes as I make sure all my animals are safely housed and in at night. I am sure no hungry fox at this time of year would have left its prey on someone's doorstep and I remain unconvinced that it killed the cat in the first place.

    04 Jan 2011 12:32 PM

    Report Abuse

  • Corrina wrote:

    I have two greyhounds who our local fox challenges as well as ripping up cockrels,ducks and turkeys. If a fox can do this it will eventually take a small child and this fox I am talking about is half the size of the giant one. This vet being more knowlegable on the subject of animals than any of you animal rights activists has acted for the safety of the locals.

    04 Jan 2011 12:28 PM

    Report Abuse

  • kevinlear wrote:

    So,just because this fox MAY have killed his parents cat,this man decides he has the right to determine whether it lives or dies.As a vet,surely he has a moral obligation to preserve the lives of animals,wild or domestic,unless they are suffering,or present a clear and present danger to human life.The Royal college of veterinary surgeons should investigate this mans behaviour.

    04 Jan 2011 12:14 PM

    Report Abuse

  • stuart wrote:

    john dad,
    1 or 2 storys in the press does not hold any weight to say foxes kill children or attack people. Little dramatic. A poxy jack russel is more of a threat.

    04 Jan 2011 12:09 PM

    Report Abuse

  • 243 Operator wrote:

    Fair Play to the vet. I'd have shot it!

    Verminous, mange ridden, disease carrying horrible creatures are foxes.

    Good work Mr Talbot

    04 Jan 2011 11:40 AM

    Report Abuse

  • bb wrote:

    What a proud looking man with his trophy.Maybe we should get him to put to sleep all the cats that destroy all of our wild birds. Mindless idiot.

    04 Jan 2011 11:28 AM

    Report Abuse

  • Freda wrote:

    My vet said that it would be extremely rare that a fox would kill a cat. We have two visit our garden regulalry and our cat sees them off!

    04 Jan 2011 11:19 AM

    Report Abuse

  • John's Dad wrote:

    There must be such pride in having killed an unusual fox on the off chance it might have killed a cat and dumped it on a doorstep. Cats, after all, are such an asset to our environment and other wildlife, and foxes are prone to leaving enigmatic warnings on doorsteps when not about their child slaughtering business.
    Anyone for a witch burning?

    04 Jan 2011 11:12 AM

    Report Abuse

  • kerry wrote:

    Well this is sad. But im glad it got killed humanley, and not bludnged to death, or chased. Its a shame though :/

    04 Jan 2011 11:06 AM

    Report Abuse

  • stuart wrote:

    What a thoughtful fox, leaving the cat on the owners doorstep! if i was a giant fox i would of cleared that moggy up... how strange !

    I feel sorry for the old lady who has been feeding him up in her back garden like a pet.... and now he is dead. Poor foxy

    04 Jan 2011 10:42 AM

    Report Abuse

  • dave wrote:

    We got rats as big as that in Parkwood

    04 Jan 2011 10:31 AM

    Report Abuse

Terms of Comments
We do not actively moderate, monitor or edit contributions to the reader comments but we may intervene and take such action as we think necessary, please click here for our house rules.. If you have any concerns over the contents on our site, please either register those concerns using the report abuse button, contact us here, email multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 01634 227834.

Advertisement

Copyright: You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, transmit or otherwise use content on this site in any way except for your own personal, non-commercial use. You also agree not to adapt, alter or create a derivative work from any content on this site except for your own personal, non-commercial use. Any other use of content requires the prior written permission of the KM GROUP. Read full terms and conditions.