Wildlife problem?

Question

Okay, here is the problem. My sister has a gray fox under her trailer. Her son was outside of the fence because she wouldn't let him near it. The fox came from under the trailer and jumped at him showing it's teeth and growling. Luckily, the fence seperated them. She called animal control and they said they couldn't do anything. They told her that she needed to hire someone to come out there. She is a single mother with two kids. She does not have a whole lot of money. She lives paycheck to paycheck. The fox has either had babies or rabies and showing that by it's aggressive behavior. The gray fox is endangered. I would think that the wildlife comission would want to protect it from becoming extinct and find out if she does have babies and protect them from getting hurt. Am I wrong? What can she do to get rid of it without getting hurt herself? Does animal control have to come out for a possible rabid fox? Can't shoot it, she will go to jail or fined.

She lives in Florida

Answer 1

The only thing I can think of is to have her get a cage, one that springs shut, but doesn't harm the animal. My dad used to do so with stray cats around the neighborhood, and once he had them caged, animal control was quicker to pick them up (when they'd told him what they told you sister). Tell her to keep away from it though because foxes can get quite violent if they feel threatened.
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The fox is probably not rabid- if it was- it wouldn't be aggressive really, would just wander over and bite her- wouldn't be able to walk straight, would go around in circles, etc.
As for being endangered, the only thing she can do is leave it. I do not think animal control can legally remove an endangered animal from where it decided to den up.
It is a little late in the year for pups- most likely the fox is scared and that is why it is agressive - it is wierd that it is under their trailer- they are usually extremely afraid of people- one of the many reasons that they are declining. Maybe it ran out of spots to den in for the winter.
What I suggest doing is calling the state Dept of Natural Resources- just say you are afraid it is going to attack the children or has attempted to, etc. They may be able to remove it. I do not think they are to the status where you can not move them at all. Otherwise, trying to scare the crap out of it might work- get an air horn, have someone with a big dog walk by a couple times- they are usually pretty skittish.

Answer 3

The best thing she can do is look at it as a blessing and begin leaving food out for the fox. If the animal has rabies it will die in about a week perhaps two and your problem is solved if the animal has had Kits (foxes have kits not pups) then she will leave when they are mature enough to get along with out her (about ten Weeks or so) if she does not leave food then the fox will have to hunt around the area to survive and this endangers the other pets in the neighborhood if she feeds it until the kits have gone and then stops the animal will have to move on to find food. Either way it's a great story for the family to tell for years to come.

Answer 4

We had a similar problem with cats under the trailer. No they won't come out and get them for you (I'm still confused if they don't do that, then what the heck do they do?). They did say they would give us a humane trap if we agreed to take it to the humane society. This was a freaking wild cat that all the humane society would do is put it down. They wouldn't give us the cage sence we wouldn't agree to that. We ended up shooting it with a bow and arrow. That was a last resort that I don't recomend, but it was in danger of starting a fire under the trailer since it had torn the insulation. If it were to come in contact with an electrical wire, or the heater coil, our home could have gone up in flames. I would recomend trying to get a trap of some sort. Some places will loan them, but they're not that expensive. Also have her ask around, usually there are some rough and tough men who'll show off of and try to catch the thing. Good luck!

Answer 5

Try to call an Exotic Animal Rescue facility...They are out there to pick up the ball when our Government Entities play pocket pool with our Tax Money and Safety. Sorry about the Gvmt. thing , but we just can't seem to get action from these guy's in any capacity. Go to the "People" who really care. In the end...if this Fox does have rabies....put the "Animal Control" on notice, via your Congressman or County Attorney for Negligence.

Answer 6

Contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service, or US Department of Fish and Game. Someone should definitely come out there not only because it is an endangered species, but especially if it is acting aggressively, meaning it can be sick. Can't believe that animal control would not come out or at LEAST lead you in the right direction as to contact information.

Answer 7

There is a national company called "Critter Control" that removes wildlife and re-releases the animal elsewhere, but they aren't cheap.
We had squirrels chew their way through an attic fan vent and take up residence in our attic. The service call was $150.00 (to examine structure and set traps), each squirrel was $50.00 (we had 3) and I think we paid 100 to have the vent covered with sainless steel mesh.
Here is a link to their web page about foxes. You can also try your yellow pages, or a nearby large city yellow pages under 'Pest control' for a company that will do this.
Or, try the police or state wildlife agency.

Answer 8

Often Animal Control services are sub contracted out. Try local wildlife protection groups or services. If that does not work out perhaps try contacting a wildlife show or News on your side.

Answer 9

you need to either call a rehabilitator or a nusiance wildlife removal service. I do not think animal control can take care of wildlife, you need to have permits etc. to handle them. sorry but that is the only way to do it and YES if it is shot and you are caught you will either be fined or put in jail. So either way she will pay

Answer 10

Try the animal shelter. They may be able to help.