Fearless fox worries Vaudreuil-Dorion residents
Local animal tracker says foxes likely pose no threat to residents or their pets
A fox on the loose in the city of Vaudreuil-Dorion is raising concerns among local residents, who say the wild animal is coming a little too close for comfort.
Kristen McCarthy says she’s seen the fox running through her backyard several times in the last few days.
Sometimes, she says, it’s carrying its preferred meal in its mouth — groundhogs.
“For me, I’m worried about how close it’s come to us. I have a two-year-old child. We play outside in the backyard,” McCarthy says.
A fox wants a meal that’s not going to cause him injury- Rob Baker, animal tracker
McCarthy also owns a Chihuaha-mix, and she’s worried the fox may decide her pet would make a tasty meal.
“I sympathize for the fox, because the fox has obviously been here before we have been here,” she says.
McCarthy says it would be nice if the fox was trapped and moved to a nearby forest.
But animal tracker Rob Baker says she has nothing to worry about.
“A fox wants a meal that’s not going to cause him injury.”
Baker says it’s unlikely a fox would ever bother to attack a Chihuaha or small child.
“It doesn’t make any sense for him to do that.”
Baker says there’s more wildlife than most people realize near Montreal, including deer and coyote packs on the West Island.
He said foxes, similar to raccoons, are especially comfortable in urban settings.
He knows of at least three fox dens on Mount Royal.
“They seem to be really comfortable living in close proximity to humans,” Baker said.