Fox question

MichaelSmith · 03-09-2008, 12:35 PM

Greetings everyone. I am wondering if anyone here knows whether or not a fox is a danger to my pets, specifically my 40 pound dog and my three (much smaller) cats?

AKHunter · 03-09-2008, 12:47 PM

There is always a possiblity it can transmit rabies to your pets or family. They are common carriers of rabies. Agressive behavior is not the only sign an animal is infected, they can be overly curious or seem friendly as well as other things. Rabies can be transmitted without actualy biting. A water dish left outside can be a vehicle for rabies if the fox drinks from it and leaves enough saliva in the dish to infect an animal etc.Personaly I would'nt allow it to remain as a "resident" if that is what your asking. They can kill your cats and dog given a chance. 40lbs isnt large enough to dissuade 2 or 3 foxes from eating your dog.

They are neat to see but I think it a big risk. At least here in alaska it would be.

mitch_mckee · 03-09-2008, 12:52 PM

No danger, except for rabies, and you have your animals vaccinated I'm sure. I've never heard of a fox killing anything but chickens.

petemi · 03-09-2008, 12:57 PM

I would think only if they were injured or rabid. IMO, the dog is certainly safe. We have lots of foxes right here at home, and I have a cat that goes out quite often, day or night, and he's never been bothered. I do think a coyote will snag his butt one day. Your 40 lb dog isn't safe from coyotes either, unless he is fit and aggressive. A long, thick coat, would be some good armor. A friend had a 75lb dog almost killed by a small number of coyotes. The dog was old, fat and short-haired. If he hadn't been close by, they would have finished his pet.

Mitch, I had a fox kill my pet rooster, KFC, at 10 on a Saturday morning, 25 feet from the house. The next day, the fox had an unfortunate collision with a .308.

MichaelSmith · 03-09-2008, 01:36 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I hope to get rid of the fox -- I just wondered if I need to worry about my pets in the meantime.

May I pose another question? Is it true that there is varmint ammunition that disintegrates on impact, thus reducing the probability of a ricoche in the event one misses the target? My property is 21 acreas, so I'm not reluctant to shoot the fox but I'd like to minimize the risks all the same.

Mooseman684 · 03-09-2008, 02:12 PM

Fox will Hunt and kill Cats if they are hungry or have a nest of young to feed...I lost one cat that way...
I use a .22 or a shotgun ...
Rich

7mmremmag1995 · 03-09-2008, 02:41 PM

MichaelSmith, Barnes makes the Varmint Grenade. it it is made of copper tin which is highly frangible reducing the chance of richocets.
check out the link for more.

Barnes Bullets Varmint Grenade

ShawnF · 03-09-2008, 02:49 PM

I like the look of that varmint grenade bullet, but if there is any way you can cause dmg, by pass through, or a miss, i would go with the shotgun. I have trapped fox, and found one of the best baits to use is the hind quarters of road killed cats. I am guessing your cats are indeed in danger.

andrew cochran · 03-09-2008, 03:50 PM

I would shoot the thing with a shotgun. Your cats might be in a little danger, but the worst thing is rabies. However my dog and cat are rabies vaccinated, so I'm not worried there.

irish murphy · 03-09-2008, 05:07 PM

A fox you say?SHOOT IT.Dont muck around just shoot the bastard.

Brad Y · 03-09-2008, 05:54 PM

Exactly my opinion.

I have loaded and shot the varmint grenades out of my 22-250. yep they go in and at long ranges they make things feel like jelly. I would suggest around the house loading them into a 22 hornet and use them as a single shot (long bullet) At regular hornet velocity they shouldnt exit a fox if you shoot him in the heart/lung area.

MichaelSmith · 03-10-2008, 08:56 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. The fox showed up again this morning, not 10 yards from my back door. I went after him with my .45, but missed. Today I'm getting a shotgun.

Brad Y · 03-10-2008, 05:47 PM

If they are anything like our foxes mate, it will have learnt and wont be back in a hurry, you might see it around the place but it more than likely wont come in close. Maybe a 223 rifle would suit you better in case it hangs further back.

BaserRonin · 03-10-2008, 05:58 PM

We have several of them that skulk around. They leave my cats and dogs alone, they would have to be much larger then I have seen in my area to consider walking off with a house-cat in it's mouth. The only thing they do that annoys me is when they mark my newspaper...probably think the same thing about the "non-biased" reporting I do.

irish murphy · 03-11-2008, 07:00 AM

It will probably be back,shoot the bastard

petemi · 03-11-2008, 10:36 AM

Murph, we share the same philosophy.

nc.hunter · 03-11-2008, 07:25 PM

nc. hunter here, the only reason your dogs should be in any danger is if they weigh 10-12 lbs. or under. other than that no. your 40lbs dog is a lot bigger than any fox in north america, the biggest species of fox is the red fox, standing 1.2 feet at its shoulder and it weighs full grown about 14-18 lbs. tops. So your pets should be a-okay.

Cyrille · 03-11-2008, 07:41 PM

If you want the pelt shoot the fox with a.22 or .17 in the head if possible.

Farmer · 03-12-2008, 04:30 AM

I havent had a fox withing 500m of my house since i installed the maremma sheep dog. She hates foxes with a vengance and will hunt them for ages until they dissapear or she kills it. Either way they never come back, somtimes a pitty, cause my 22 magnum with the night scope gets very little use now.

irish murphy · 03-12-2008, 06:59 AM

Hate to say it farmer,get rid of the dog and shoot them from the lounge or kitchen window mate

03-09-2008, 12:35 PM	#1
MichaelSmith Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12	Fox question Greetings everyone. I am wondering if anyone here knows whether or not a fox is a danger to my pets, specifically my 40 pound dog and my three (much smaller) cats?

03-09-2008, 12:57 PM	#4
petemi Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Engadine, Upper Peninsula, MI Posts: 90	I would think only if they were injured or rabid. IMO, the dog is certainly safe. We have lots of foxes right here at home, and I have a cat that goes out quite often, day or night, and he's never been bothered. I do think a coyote will snag his butt one day. Your 40 lb dog isn't safe from coyotes either, unless he is fit and aggressive. A long, thick coat, would be some good armor. A friend had a 75lb dog almost killed by a small number of coyotes. The dog was old, fat and short-haired. If he hadn't been close by, they would have finished his pet. Mitch, I had a fox kill my pet rooster, KFC, at 10 on a Saturday morning, 25 feet from the house. The next day, the fox had an unfortunate collision with a .308. Last edited by petemi; 03-09-2008 at 01:04 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

03-09-2008, 02:12 PM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,401 Images: 2	Fox will Hunt and kill Cats if they are hungry or have a nest of young to feed...I lost one cat that way... I use a .22 or a shotgun ... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-09-2008, 02:41 PM	#7
7mmremmag1995 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,271 Images: 1 Blog Entries: 1	MichaelSmith, Barnes makes the Varmint Grenade. it it is made of copper tin which is highly frangible reducing the chance of richocets. check out the link for more. Barnes Bullets Varmint Grenade __________________ Just LeDoux it

03-09-2008, 02:49 PM	#8
ShawnF Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Buffalo Wyoming Posts: 141	I like the look of that varmint grenade bullet, but if there is any way you can cause dmg, by pass through, or a miss, i would go with the shotgun. I have trapped fox, and found one of the best baits to use is the hind quarters of road killed cats. I am guessing your cats are indeed in danger. __________________ shoot low they might be crawling

03-09-2008, 12:47 PM	#2
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	There is always a possiblity it can transmit rabies to your pets or family. They are common carriers of rabies. Agressive behavior is not the only sign an animal is infected, they can be overly curious or seem friendly as well as other things. Rabies can be transmitted without actualy biting. A water dish left outside can be a vehicle for rabies if the fox drinks from it and leaves enough saliva in the dish to infect an animal etc.Personaly I would'nt allow it to remain as a "resident" if that is what your asking. They can kill your cats and dog given a chance. 40lbs isnt large enough to dissuade 2 or 3 foxes from eating your dog. They are neat to see but I think it a big risk. At least here in alaska it would be.

03-09-2008, 12:52 PM	#3
mitch_mckee Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,085 Images: 3	No danger, except for rabies, and you have your animals vaccinated I'm sure. I've never heard of a fox killing anything but chickens.

03-09-2008, 01:36 PM	#5
MichaelSmith Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12	Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I hope to get rid of the fox -- I just wondered if I need to worry about my pets in the meantime. May I pose another question? Is it true that there is varmint ammunition that disintegrates on impact, thus reducing the probability of a ricoche in the event one misses the target? My property is 21 acreas, so I'm not reluctant to shoot the fox but I'd like to minimize the risks all the same.

03-09-2008, 03:50 PM	#9
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,310	I would shoot the thing with a shotgun. Your cats might be in a little danger, but the worst thing is rabies. However my dog and cat are rabies vaccinated, so I'm not worried there. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

03-09-2008, 05:07 PM	#10
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	A fox you say?SHOOT IT.Dont muck around just shoot the bastard.

03-09-2008, 05:54 PM	#11
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98	Exactly my opinion. I have loaded and shot the varmint grenades out of my 22-250. yep they go in and at long ranges they make things feel like jelly. I would suggest around the house loading them into a 22 hornet and use them as a single shot (long bullet) At regular hornet velocity they shouldnt exit a fox if you shoot him in the heart/lung area.

03-10-2008, 08:56 AM	#12
MichaelSmith Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12	Thanks for the replies everyone. The fox showed up again this morning, not 10 yards from my back door. I went after him with my .45, but missed. Today I'm getting a shotgun.

03-10-2008, 05:47 PM	#13
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98	If they are anything like our foxes mate, it will have learnt and wont be back in a hurry, you might see it around the place but it more than likely wont come in close. Maybe a 223 rifle would suit you better in case it hangs further back.

03-10-2008, 05:58 PM	#14
BaserRonin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a Dark Cubicle Posts: 371	We have several of them that skulk around. They leave my cats and dogs alone, they would have to be much larger then I have seen in my area to consider walking off with a house-cat in it's mouth. The only thing they do that annoys me is when they mark my newspaper...probably think the same thing about the "non-biased" reporting I do. __________________ "It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism" ~ R. W. Inge

03-11-2008, 07:00 AM	#15
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	It will probably be back,shoot the bastard

03-11-2008, 10:36 AM	#16
petemi Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Engadine, Upper Peninsula, MI Posts: 90	Murph, we share the same philosophy.

03-11-2008, 07:25 PM	#17
nc.hunter Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Forsyth county of north carolina Posts: 229	nc. hunter here, the only reason your dogs should be in any danger is if they weigh 10-12 lbs. or under. other than that no. your 40lbs dog is a lot bigger than any fox in north america, the biggest species of fox is the red fox, standing 1.2 feet at its shoulder and it weighs full grown about 14-18 lbs. tops. So your pets should be a-okay. __________________ I'M A SOUTHERNER THROUGH AND THROUGH!

03-11-2008, 07:41 PM	#18
Cyrille Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,900	If you want the pelt shoot the fox with a.22 or .17 in the head if possible.

03-12-2008, 04:30 AM	#19
Farmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Limbri NSW Au Posts: 315	I havent had a fox withing 500m of my house since i installed the maremma sheep dog. She hates foxes with a vengance and will hunt them for ages until they dissapear or she kills it. Either way they never come back, somtimes a pitty, cause my 22 magnum with the night scope gets very little use now. __________________ Cheers, Rob I'm into gun control - I always use both hands!!!!!!!

03-12-2008, 06:59 AM	#20
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Hate to say it farmer,get rid of the dog and shoot them from the lounge or kitchen window mate