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Foxes

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Small Brancher, Jun 20, 2011.

  1. Small Brancher

    Small Brancher Member

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    We just got a new dog - a 20 pound pug. The other morning (about 5:30am) I walked the dog around the yard (on a lease) and saw a fox watching us from about 30 feet away. It did not run away but just watched us for a few minutes then left. A co-worker said he had heard that foxes have been known to attack small dogs even on a lease. Does anyone know whether this is something I need to be concerned about?
     
  2. sunnydog

    sunnydog New Member

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    Even a dog can attack small dogs on a leash. Always be vigilant but appreciate that we live in a wildlife filled neighborhood. I would be surprised to hear of a fox going for a dog especially when we have so many bunnies around!
     
  3. CAPABODY

    CAPABODY Member

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    My wife and I have lived in Broadlands for 5 years now. Last week was the first time we have seen a fox in our area. The fox was sitting on our doorstep at 4 am. Freaked my wife out for a minute or two. We were not concerned for our dogs, they are about 50 pounds each. We were more concerned about our cats (who are indoor and outdoor cats). Fox will attack them as well. We keep an eye out for the fox now.
     
  4. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    I think we have more foxes this year. In my seven years in Broadlands, I saw my first "fox-roadkill" last week - I didn't hit it, just saw it (=
    It's the small one, so I guess, a red fox....
     
  5. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Agreed. I have seen far more foxes this year than any other of my 14 years here.
     
  6. fidothedog

    fidothedog Member

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    I am surprised it too so long for the fox population to increase around here.

    Just look at all of the bunnies, squirrels and other small game in the neighborhood.

    Plenty of food for a fox.
     
  7. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I think it has a lot to do with the forest depletion west of Belmont Ridge where once heavily wooded areas are rapidly being thinned out and developed. Yet, I've always seen fox in our area, just not as many as now.
     
  8. TeamDonzi

    TeamDonzi ShowMeTheMoney!

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    makes me afraid for my cat, haven't seen him since Saturday....
     
  9. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    Is Middleburg Bank expanding? ;-)
     
  10. Sasquatch519

    Sasquatch519 Member

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    I would think that a fox would be scared off by the person attached to the other end of the small dog's leash. I'd be more worried about rabies from the fox - foxes are nocturnal so to see them roaming around during the day would be a little disconcerting, but I guess 5:30am is getting to be close to bedtime for them anyway.
     
  11. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    If they have a litter to feed they may be expanding their hunting hours...I have a large dog and we've come across a fox several times at 6am on Demott. She seems curious about us, but not threatening and definitely not sick.
     
  12. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    It's not uncommon to see fox active during daylight hours, especially if it is nursing pups or the fox are juveniles. It's the same way with raccoons, when they're nursing and hungry, they will scavenge for food at all hours.
     
  13. glencastle

    glencastle The Paterfamilias

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    You can usually see a few foxes at the Southern Walk pool on the weekends as well.

    (Sorry...couldn't resist)
     
  14. christinaandrob

    christinaandrob New Member

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    my parents have a large fox family in their backyard in reston. they are out during the day. they are amazing.

    national geographic just had an article on them about how they would make great pets. it was pretty interesting.
     
  15. peddler

    peddler Peddler

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    So glad to hear that foxes are reestablishing themselves. In our 15 years living here I have seen dozens of dead ones but only a few live ones roaming - usually early morning with mice or rabbits or other vermin they have killed for breakfast and eliminated as pests for people living here. Unfortunately foxes appear to be not so good a dodging cars (about like squirrels), and might live longer if people would actually let up on the accelerator in their presence. Foxes were here a lot longer than any of our 1000's of houses ever were, and my experience they are pretty skitterish in the presence of dogs. Not so for coyotes, which sometimes are here too.
     

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