Council defends safety calls to remove foxes (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Borough Council defends calls from Meltam Assim and Kathleen Woodham to rid foxes from Enfield Highway

5:30pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

People fearful of foxes plaguing their street are being urged by Enfield Borough Council to stop feeding them.

Mother-of-one Meltam Assim and neighbour Kathleen Woodham, of Hammond Road in Enfield Highway, feel trapped in their homes as a skulk of up to nine foxes have lurked in their front and back gardens for months.

Although they believe a person on their street is feeding the foxes, they are calling for the authority’s help in ridding the vermin before they harm any children or pets living in the area.

However, the cabinet member for environment, Councillor Chris Bond, said there is “no specific law” which requires the council to control foxes as there is with other forms of pests.

Cllr Bond said: "We would strongly recommend that residents do not feed foxes in Enfield, they are not starving and doing so makes them dependent on humans for food, makes it more likely they will lose their natural fear of humans and can cause them to come into close contact with people who may be frightened of them.

"Enfield Council has rolled out wheeled bins to thousands of homes across Enfield and this has helped to minimise the likelihood of foxes being able to rip open bin bags for food and reduced their available food sources but it is extremely important that residents play their part and do not encourage these creatures by feeding them."

Ms Assim, who has a five-month-old son, keeps her windows closed to prevent any foxes from entering the property and is worried the situation will worsen when the vermin breed over the summer.

Ms Woodham is anxious about the safety of her pet chihuahua if the council does not soon take action against the foxes, which roam in the street at day and night.