Injured fox-what to do!?

[jenniprice]

I was driving to work yesterday and saw a fox walking along the road(quite a busy country road i use).
it was about 8.20am and light as day.
i know foxes are Nocturnal so was worried when i saw it.

I stopped and had a look and one of it's back legs was injured and holding it up.
i pulled over and called RSPCA but said unless i catch it there's nothing they can do.

I left it as looked healthy and thought will keep an eye out.

Anyway driving same way to work and saw it again today!
This time it was in field next to where was. it was just stood there looking at sheep. again it was light so i was even more worried.

I've called an animal rescue centre 2day and they're going to look today, but worry they wont find it as maybe hide?

Anyway my idea is maybe try catch it with food if see it again?
Is this a totally bad idea or worth it?
I know they can be viscious but i just worry bout it, as hate the thought of it in pain.
thought take blanket, cat box and garden gloves, and scraps of chicken and see if he's hungry and tempted by it.

the woman from resuce said if do catch it ring her or take to shelter nearby.
she said i could throw blanket over-depends how weak it is ofcourse, but bet by 2moz it will be hungry.

I just dont know what to do, i'm just sad and worried and want to help.
I'm just hoping the woman i spoke to is able to catch it...

[kitesurfer]

who said I love animals?!?!? I dislike anyforms of life that i see fit. thats my right wizard.
i like your last attempt at an insult though I really do. You must have gone on a very enduring mental journey for that one. You probably will need a rest now in a nice comfy chair with a nice cup of warm milk.

[ganesh]

I think you took that badly,I was not insulting you at all. I was being quite serious about your comments and I don't see why you had to be rude.
What's your problem, and what's wrong with milk anyway?

[kitesurfer]

Im not bieng rude garnesh. u are just taking it the wrong way. So what is your favorite meal any way?

[ganesh]

mmm...probably an indian-veg curry ,onion bhaji,mutter paneer,spinach bhaji,and a couple of popadoms.
But I think you have hijacked the question,and you were being rude!

[GYMRAT]

MMMmmm indian food!

[Eve]

If the animal is still mobile then the RSPCA protocol is not to help unless the animal is captured and brought to them.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?page name=RSPCA/Page/RSPCAFAQTemp&cid=1114778749342 &articleId=1113812709787

I'd advise against trying to catch it yourself as they are likely to be aggressive and apart from bites and scratches they could have diseases.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/a133915/injure d-fox-destroys-luxury-conservatory.html

The decision as to what to do should be taken by someone who knows about foxes and has the proper skill and equipment.

My parents feed badgers in their garden and one of them was coming limping so they called the local badger group who came and got her and took her to the vet.

In the circumstances and due to her injuries they put her to sleep as apparantly she would have been excluded from the set due to her injury and, as she couldn't fend for and feed herself properly, would have probably have died from starvation or got by some prey due to her vulnerability.

They decided it was the kindest thing to do.

[kitesurfer]

you wouldnt fancy a fox curry then?

[terambulan]

Jenna1978.....kindest? More like no one to foot the bill so the animal dies! I kid you not, its all about � s d!

[Barmaid]

If it's near a farm, go knock on the nearest farmer's door. Tell them to keep an eye open for it (if they have foul, they will want to know if there is an injured fox around, since it is the injured ones that go for the easy pickings in hen houses).

The farmer will undoubtedly shoot it. I would.

(Sorry, to those that don't like that attitude, but I have put injured and sick animals out of their misery on a number of occasions with the use of a shotgun). Better than having them suffer. Quickest way I know to despatch something in pain.

[stompe]

Well done barmaid! bring your Gun theirs a few sick Animals on here tonight>=:)

[LoftyLottie]

Gravitate's about again then!!

[kitesurfer]

fox curry all around then

[LoftyLottie]

Withe some naan bread and mango chutney please!

[kitesurfer]

i wonder if the evil hound has met its fate yet. you can hate me but just think of all the souls that will live because the evil thing dies. i wonder what you would call a fox curry?

[GYMRAT]

a furry foxy masala?

[Kleiber]

Well, opened a can of worms here, haven't we? Apart from Barmaid, no one has mentioned the farmer. If this fox is standing in a field, looking at sheep at this time of year, for heavens sake tell the farmer! It's lambing time and foxes do take lambs (don't anyone say they don't - I've seen it happen), especially if the fox is injured and can't hunt its natural prey and the lamb is young. More risk with twin lambs, as the ewe can only defend one at a time. It's also at this time of year when foxes will take more chickens & ducks. The vixens are pregnant and looking for an easy meal.

[gelda]

Foxes injure themselves all the time, they climb trees and jump on peoples sheds it's when they jump down they injure themselves, but most of the time the injuries clear up by themselves,your little fox isn't probably injured badly, just get in touch with fox welfare people, there are plenty of fox organisations on the internet, I've been feeding our local foxes for some years now and I've seen many of them limping and walking on three legs but within a few days they're okay again.In fact I've got a semi tame vixen who waits for my car every night, (I think she knows the sound of it) anyway a week ago she came over walking on 3 legs whch worried me a bit but last night she came out of the wood walking on all 4 legs so I wouldn't worry too much but to put your mind at rest just get in touch with a fox welfare society for some advice. Thankyou for caring, I wish there were more people like you about, after all foxes have feelings too and feel pain. x

[jenniprice]

Thanks for that gelda, like say I hope it's just a minor injury and will clear up itself.

If I see it again I may warn the farm thats nearby, as like say it's probably more humane for it to be shot than slowly die.

I really don't think foxes or any animal deserve bad karma. It is just animal instinct. And badgers are the same and no one gives them a bad rap-they kill lambs just for the fun of it.
I'm not saying I don't like badgers, but saying most animals are the same when comes to killing, including us.

Anyway thanks for all your advice, Been very helpful!

[thugulike]

Our vet said they treated injured wild animals free. I thought this was universal but I may be wrong. Maybe we just have very good vets?

[LoftyLottie2]

Our vets have a collection box on their reception desk for donations towards the treatment of wild, and stray animals.
We also have an RSPA wildlife hospital quite near and they will take in anything, even rats can be taken in to them. That is their policy.