Dog, cat killed in separate fox attacks in Amherst

AMHERST — Last month, reports of rabid foxes attacking humans in western Massachusetts seemed almost commonplace after several back-to-back incidents within a short period of time. Now, pets are apparently in the crosshairs, with two killings reported in Amherst this month.

The most recent incident happened Saturday morning, when a toy poodle was killed by a fox in a residential North Amherst neighborhood, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Earlier this month, a cat was killed by a fox in Amherst, the Northampton newspaper reports.

Amherst Animal Welfare Officer Carol Hepburn urged residents to watch their small pets, particularly during the summer months when foxes actively hunt rabbits, rodents, squirrels and other small animals. “Protect your animals from wildlife. Always be aware when your animals are outside,” Hepburn told the Gazette.

While last month’s attacks on humans were the result of rabies, a deadly viral infection that can make animals aggressive toward people, the attacks on animals were likely the result of defensive actions on the part of the fox, an omnivore that will eat everything from bugs to birds to fruit and garbage.

MassWildlife spokeswoman Marion Larson told the Gazette that pet attacks are likely defensive in nature, meaning a fox was protecting its territory or a nearby den, rather than predatory attacks aimed at securing food sources.

News Link:-http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/dog_cat_killed_in_separate_fox.html

League Against Cruel Sports

“Let me just put one thing straight…I have never ever attended a hunt, despite being in the equine business for 40+ years. I never have & never will be associated with this barbaric sport…But I know those that do…so can’t say any-more because of possible retribution; just know I don’t take part!!!”

It’s the end of yet another hunting season and despite the Hunting Act 2004 making it illegal to hunt wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, we are still getting hundreds of calls from members of the public who are witnessing suspicious activity and havoc caused by the hunts. In our video blog below we take a look at some of the reports of havoc we’ve received and ask the question, are the hunters really abiding by the law?

We take a look back over this year’s hunting season; including our report into artificial earths, some of the havoc caused by hunts and Joe talks about our new investigators.

We began this hunting season with the publication of our report into artificial earths. Earths were historically built by hunts to provide a breeding place and home for foxes, so that the hunts could ensure they had a ready supply of foxes to hunt. Our five month investigation revealed evidence that some artificial earths had been recently renovated and food and water supplies were also found. We believe that this points to a nationwide conspiracy to encourage and sustain fox populations for the purposes of hunting. Read the full report…

As the hunting season got underway the crimewatch calls began flooding in. Of the hundreds of calls received, nearly 20% were describing some kind of havoc caused by the ‘trail hunting’ which was taking place. From hounds running riot through people’s gardens, livestock and pets being attacked to hounds being killed and our monitors being attacked.

The League receives the same reports every season and we think it’s high time that hunts are held accountable for these blatant infringements of the law. In December last year the Master of the North Shropshire Hunt said; “We were out trail hunting…when we lost the hounds. It was a freak accident and won’t happen again.”  Surely if this was such a freak incident then we wouldn’t be seeing ‘accidents’ year after year. Watch the video blog to find out more…

It’s not just foxes, deer and hares which need your protection. The fox hunting season may be over but we’re now nearly a month into the mink hunting season and we need your help to catch any illegal activity. If you have information on an upcoming hunt or if you see any suspicious activity please contact our crimewatch team on 01483 524250 or complete ouronline form.

Uploaded by LACS1924 on 24 Apr 2012

We take a look back over this year’s hunting season; including our report into artificial earths, some of the havoc caused by hunts and Joe talks about our new investigators.