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Kitten mauled to death by fox in Ewell

8:00am Thursday 17th November 2011 in News By Lauren May

Kitten mauled to death by fox in Ewell Kitten mauled to death by fox in Ewell

A policeman whose kitten was mauled to death by foxes is worried they might attack children.

Seven-month-old George was killed in his next door neighbour’s garden in Pam’s Way, Ewell Court, last Thursday, November 10.

His owner, PC Robert Mitchelmoore, 38, who works for the Metropolitan Police, rang the RSPCA and Epsom and Ewell Council hoping they would be able to set a trap to remove the killer fox from the area, but found there was little either could do.

Mr Mitchelmoore said: “Our little cat found a hole that the fox had made and went next door.

“It looks like the foxes were hiding in our next door neighbour's green house and he was attacked.

“I got a hysterical phone call from my wife because she hadn’t seen him for a while.

“She had a look over the fence and saw him lying there with his neck all eaten.

“I took him to the vet but there was nothing they could do.”

PC Mitchelmoore, who has three young children aged three, seven and nine, said: “It’s lovely area we live in and there lots of children and the last thing I would want is for a child to get hurt or for it to get into someone’s house.

“They are hungry and tend to come out on Thursday night which is bin night.”

Residents Association Councillor for Ewell Court, David Mayall, who lives close to Mr Mitchelmoore, has asked residents to follow national advice not to feed or encourage foxes into their gardens and to ensure domestic pets are secured in their cages. He said: “They become domesticated and reliant upon people feeding them and that’s why we have them in the situation we do.

“These are wild animals and they are territorial.

“If another domesticated animal comes near them they can feel threatened by that.

“We just want people to be aware of this and that feeding foxes is an issue and they should refrain from doing so.

“We are not doing ourselves any favours or the foxes as they become less wild and lose that natural instinct to hunt and scavenge for food.”

Comments(29)

fedup58 says...
11:23am Thu 17 Nov 11

When will people learn that foxes are vermin if you support the cull of the beautifiul deer in the parks how can you not support a cull of foxes to keep our domesticated animals and people safe. We are being over run in certain areas and foxes are becoming a real problem but nobody wants to take responsibility. I love animals but foxes should not be encouraged in residential areas they bring fleas, ticks and diseases with them. To those idiots who are feeding them in gardens please stop before somebody else looses a loved pet.

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dave1998 says...
12:09pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Foxes are not vermin. That's just something the uneducated like to repeat. And where is the evidence? This man is a policeman and should be ashamed at his attitude. Does this idiot behave like this on the job?

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alwoodcock says...
12:11pm Thu 17 Nov 11

@fedup58.

Firstly, cheer up, secondly, foxes are NOT classed as 'vermin'and you have answered you own query, that is, that it's not the fox's fault that this happened, but people feeding and encouraging them into their gardens. There's nothing wrong with that at all, though.

You do realise, of course, that cats are responsible for the loss of thousands of garden birds each year?

I do NOT dislike cats, but let's live and let live instead of just killing things because they don't suit us!!!!

This is OBVIOUSLY a one off situation. If the cat died another way this wouldn't have made the news. Foxes are NOT cat killers

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fedup58 says...
12:29pm Thu 17 Nov 11

So the baby that got mauled by a fox in its cot last year and the teenager that got bitten just in the wrong place at the wrong time i assume. Foxes should be in the wild not living off people feeding them the diseases they spread kill all sorts of animals. When will people realise this is a HUGE problem.

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Animalguru says...
1:07pm Thu 17 Nov 11

dear gods, I still can not believe everyone bought that Story on the babies in the cot! How gullible do you have to be before you realise you left your braincells in the rubbish?
Lets examine that issue with the babies in the cot attack shall we? (an one know how to spot a lie? its called inconsistent stories, and hiding of facts.)

1: The family wouldn't let bite experts examine the bites.

2: In the internal report given to both police and the RSPCA there were Two foxes, that had apparently attacked the twins. Which around half way into it all unfolding turned into one fox.

3: The fox who is well documented as being a scavenger, walked into the house RIGHT PAST cooling BBQ food, to then proceed to open and close two doors to get up the stairs to attack the babies. (Someone can't do 1+1 there.)

4: It is well documented that the daily mail (who originally printed the story) PAY people to tell these stories. Yes you did just read correctly the Rupert Murdoch owned papers PAY people to tell these stories. it then gets picked up by the rest of the media.

5: (This is where you need to REALLY get your thinking cap on) Why is it only when conservatives are "elected" in any way shape or form, and Want to run about the countryside killing every bit of animal life in their path, that these stories suddenly pup up? Its to try and bring back blood sport. The daily fail(mail) is well documented as being Pro blood sport!


So before anyone else runs around with the drivel of the babies and the teenager crap inspect that FACTS not the lies and fabrications of the media!
The only animal on this planet that actually needs its numbers culling is the Animal known as Human. Or has everyone failed to notice how over populated the planet is with that spices?

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alwoodcock says...
1:07pm Thu 17 Nov 11

How many people get bitten by dogs or scratched by cats every year?

And people should stop feeding the birds because the cats get them??

What evidence do you have that foxes spread diseases to other animals?

Stop panicking fedup58!!

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fedup58 says...
1:26pm Thu 17 Nov 11

I sugegest you speak to a vet on how much disease they spread and then perhaps you will be better informed also try farmers and no I do not believe everything I read in papers but I have seen with my own eyes what foxes are capable of they are definitely not vegatarians.

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John Bryant says...
2:49pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Asd a professional wildlife consultant I have spoken at length to the owner of the kitten and his version differs somewhat from the printed story. I have been involved with foxes for four decades and there is no doubt that fox attacks on cats are much less frequent than cat attacks on fox-cubs - although of course in nature there are always exceptions.
There is no known case of a member of the public ever catching a disease from foxes, and the government (Defra's) policy, issued after last year's alleged 'fox attack'on twin babies in Hackney, states "Attacks of this kind are extremely rare and we have no records of any other such attacks in recent years." Indeed the Hackney case is the only case I know, that has not later been found to have been a dog or cat attack. 6,000 people are hospitalised by dog attacks annually in the UK - including children and even adults killed. Around 1,000 people are hospitalised by insect stings annually in the UK including around a dozen deaths. Foxes have been living in greater London since the 1930s -not one human death!

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robert01 says...
3:44pm Thu 17 Nov 11

dave1998 wrote:
Foxes are not vermin. That's just something the uneducated like to repeat. And where is the evidence? This man is a policeman and should be ashamed at his attitude. Does this idiot behave like this on the job?
Dave1998,
Thanks for your comments and i am very happy that this article has caused such a debate! As you can see from the article, i have in no way asked for this fox to be killed or hurt in anyway.. I except what has happened to our kitten, and that the fox that attacked and killed him is a wild animal. I have evidence from my local vet but didn't really need much evidence aftere seeing his injuries to his neck and body.
How am i supposed to be 'ashamed of my attitude' My attitude is to make sure my garden is safe for my children and the area safe for other families. I have found two dead wood pigeons this lunchtime in the exact area where my kitten was killed!!
Thanks for the name calling as well by the way! Very mature of you!!
All i am trying to do is to educate our community about the potential hazard that has killed three times in our neighbours garden. I have lived here for 11 years and have seen hundreds of foxes pass through which i dont have a problem with, but when one kills a family pet and other animals so close to where my children play then who wouldn't want to raise awareness?
Please keep the comments coming, but please try not to be nasty like some have been. Thanks

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robert01 says...
3:44pm Thu 17 Nov 11

dave1998 wrote:
Foxes are not vermin. That's just something the uneducated like to repeat. And where is the evidence? This man is a policeman and should be ashamed at his attitude. Does this idiot behave like this on the job?
Dave1998,
Thanks for your comments and i am very happy that this article has caused such a debate! As you can see from the article, i have in no way asked for this fox to be killed or hurt in anyway.. I except what has happened to our kitten, and that the fox that attacked and killed him is a wild animal. I have evidence from my local vet but didn't really need much evidence aftere seeing his injuries to his neck and body.
How am i supposed to be 'ashamed of my attitude' My attitude is to make sure my garden is safe for my children and the area safe for other families. I have found two dead wood pigeons this lunchtime in the exact area where my kitten was killed!!
Thanks for the name calling as well by the way! Very mature of you!!
All i am trying to do is to educate our community about the potential hazard that has killed three times in our neighbours garden. I have lived here for 11 years and have seen hundreds of foxes pass through which i dont have a problem with, but when one kills a family pet and other animals so close to where my children play then who wouldn't want to raise awareness?
Please keep the comments coming, but please try not to be nasty like some have been. Thanks

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fedup58 says...
4:00pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Foxes spread disease to domestic animals and that wildlife expert is a fact. Children should be able to play safely in their gardens free from Fox faeces but this is becoming increasingly difficult because of the idiots that feed them in their gardens and encourage them to visit resedential areas in search of easy food.

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Auntiecon says...
4:00pm Thu 17 Nov 11

With all due respect to the owner, he was aware that a fox visited his garden and was passing through to the next garden too, so why on earth did he allow a little kitten to be out in the vicinity where a hungry fox might take it? All the kittens I have had have been watched with care because of outdoor risks just like small children, they need looking after until they know how to cope with a situation. A fully grown cat would easily stand its ground against a fox and furthermore, a fox is more likely to run away from a spitting cat not attack it.
As far as foxes are disease ridden and could pass on diseases to humans - so are pets who suffer the same diseases. I'm afraid fedup58 has an obvious lack of knowledge about some animals.

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fedup58 says...
4:06pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Auntiecon stick your head in the ground and when it is your dog or cat that has contracted a vile disease from foxes then feel free to comment. This Policeman has done the right thing by trying to warn his neighburhood of a potential threat but NO you are not interested all you want to hear is foxes are nice fluffy animals. Ask anyone with chickens what they think of foxes.

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Auntiecon says...
4:22pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Oh for goodness sake fedup58 - your ill temper and prejudice is showing through. I DID NOT say the policeman was wrong in warning the neighbours - read it again and get your facts right before you start blasting off! Furthermore, I do not believe foxes are fluffy little animals but an animal that has had to take to urban areas because its own habitat is being destroyed and we should treat them with the respect they deserve and as a wild animal to be aware of. Additionally, foxes are opportunist feeders and as such will eat any thing from worms, fruit, small mammals, and anything else it can find to eat. Contrary to your opinion the fox is an omnivore. I'm afraid you are argueing about something you have very little genuine knowledge of and purely on assumption and prejudice.

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fedup58 says...
4:38pm Thu 17 Nov 11

http://www.wildlifeo
nline.me.uk/question
s_answers_foxes.html
#mange
May I refer you to this website which will state foxes enjoy kiliing. I fact they are not indigenous to GB but came from France bought in to keep the rabbit population down. Keep the blinkers on they suit you.

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Auntiecon says...
4:45pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Utter rubbish fedup58 - meat-eating wild animals kill to eat or stock up their larders. Don't credit it with the joy some humans find in slaughtering our wildlife for fun.

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robert01 says...
5:02pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Aunticon,
I do hope that you are not suggesting that the death of my kitten was my fault by not watching its every move whilst outside! He was seven months old and had been outside after his 4 month injections, so had been going out for 3 months. Yes, i have seen foxes in my garden before, for 11 years in fact, but as all of the "experts" state that attacks on kittens are extremely rare, why would i need to watch my kittens every move outside for the last 3 months? How was i supposed to know that the fox in question was going to kill him!
To be honest, i shouldn't have to do this in my own home, the foxes are taking over and in my area, this is purley down to people feeding them in their own gardens. They dont mean any harm i know, but it is not helping in this area. We have fox poo every day in the garden which i have to clean up as i do not want my 3 children standing in it, also all you can smell is fox urine where they spray everywhere, even on my motorbike!!!
Thanks

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twotonethomas says...
5:05pm Thu 17 Nov 11

The story is basically, 'Fox attacks cat so it may attack children'.

As the owner of a cat that regularly attacks birds, mice, rats and rabbits, I obviously need a new home for my cat because it may attack children next.

Cuckoo!!!!

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robert01 says...
5:33pm Thu 17 Nov 11

I am the wife of the so called 'idiot'. I am appalled by some of your comments and find them extremely upsetting. My husband has simply highlighted the dangers of the fox being encouraged to think of our gardens as there territory by people feeding them. We have seen foxes in our garden before and have a 1 year old cat who chases them out but we obviously have a problem with a fox who is trying to claim his territory.Of course if I had any incling that we had a fox doing this I wouldn't of let our cats go in the garden but how would we have been aware unless someone had told us which is what we are doing. Cats should be allowed to roam freely in their gardens what do you suggest that we should be watching them 24-7. We followed the advice of not letting them out at night and we don't let them out the front of the house so I think your comments about us being irresponsible are unfounded. Its easy for you to judge but we have every right to express our feelings and right at this moment I don't find my garden an enjoyable or safe place to be and I do fear that my children could be in danger if this fox felt cornered. These are my feelings based on my recent experience and no ammount of surveys on fox attacks will change that. Finding my kitten was very distressing it never occured to me this could happen and Thank god my children didn't find him as I have protected them from the truth so they don't have nightmares. I suggest before you comment you think of how this would affect you and your family.

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robert01 says...
5:34pm Thu 17 Nov 11

I am the wife of the so called 'idiot'. I am appalled by some of your comments and find them extremely upsetting. My husband has simply highlighted the dangers of the fox being encouraged to think of our gardens as there territory by people feeding them. We have seen foxes in our garden before and have a 1 year old cat who chases them out but we obviously have a problem with a fox who is trying to claim his territory.Of course if I had any incling that we had a fox doing this I wouldn't of let our cats go in the garden but how would we have been aware unless someone had told us which is what we are doing. Cats should be allowed to roam freely in their gardens what do you suggest that we should be watching them 24-7. We followed the advice of not letting them out at night and we don't let them out the front of the house so I think your comments about us being irresponsible are unfounded. Its easy for you to judge but we have every right to express our feelings and right at this moment I don't find my garden an enjoyable or safe place to be and I do fear that my children could be in danger if this fox felt cornered. These are my feelings based on my recent experience and no ammount of surveys on fox attacks will change that. Finding my kitten was very distressing it never occured to me this could happen and Thank god my children didn't find him as I have protected them from the truth so they don't have nightmares. I suggest before you comment you think of how this would affect you and your family.

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fedup58 says...
6:20pm Thu 17 Nov 11

You have done the right thing by warning people in the area but unfortunatley thay are not listening this fox or foxes are not afraid to be near humans simply because somone is feeding them. They probably enjoy seeing them in their garden but is seriously the wrong thing to do they are wild animals and they kill for sport hence the kitten and wood pigeons were not eaten if they go into a chicken coup they will kill all the chickens but only take one or two fo food. I am so sorry for the family that lost their kitten it must have been very traumitic to find him like that. This problem is not going away until people accept that urban foxes are a problem they are simply in the wrong place.

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Foxyboy999 says...
8:28pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Foxes are killers and need to be culled. There's mixed views, some have said this police officer is an idiot? That's hard to tell online, let's give him the benefit of the doubt. He might just be a little slow.

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fedup58 says...
8:41pm Thu 17 Nov 11

I cannot believe how rude and unsympathic you have been to this family you need to look at yourselves. I am ashamed of the local community for the way it has responded.

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dave1998 says...
8:49pm Thu 17 Nov 11

" I have found two dead wood pigeons this lunchtime in the exact area where my kitten was killed ... All i am trying to do is to educate our community about the potential hazard that has killed three times in our neighbours garden."

There he goes again. This man just cannot help himself. Cats kill millions of animals every year. If a bird has been killed it's probably by a cat. Sorry - I know cat owners live in denial but this is a fact.

All you are doing is spreading your own prejudices!

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Catseyes68 says...
12:03am Fri 18 Nov 11

I would like to thank the Mitchelmore's for thinking of others at this very distressing time! It has made people with children and pets more aware, it's a shame that there are people out there who feel it is there right to be rude to thoughtless to people who are caring and looking out for other people!

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lrosec says...
1:09am Fri 18 Nov 11

I am appalled by the negative comments by members of the public. What right does anyone have to call someone an idiot? And just because they are a policeman how dare you judge how good they are at their job! Lets see who you call when your house gets broken into or you are assaulted in the street! It actually drives me crazy that reporters even mention a persons occupation and age, who cares? This is a father and husband who cares about his family and his neighbours. Do you think everything you read in the media is an accurate account of what happened and what the person said? Just look at the terrible grammar throughout that article? Ultimately the take home message is clear, there are too many foxes in the urban environment and whereas it is of course not their fault, it is ours as we are forever invading their habitat, however, they come in because we give them easy food. So please do not feed these wild animals. The distressing part is how this impacts a family, lots of poop (which by the way IS a health hazard) and urine in a yard full of kids is not pleasant. On top of that can you imagine how traumatic it would have been if one of the kids found him? Yes it's not the foxes fault but it is also NOT the owners fault to let a cat out (that at 7 months is hardly a kitten) during daylight hours! This should be a forum for positive and negative comments but not rude comments that are unfounded without knowing the full story and the actual personalities of the people involved.

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fedup58 says...
8:33am Fri 18 Nov 11

Well said Irosec, my feelings exactly!

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EB86 says...
9:19am Fri 18 Nov 11

If it had been a dog that mauled the cat to death they would have put it down. You can train dogs (with in reason), you cant train a fox. Put it down!!!

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emelem says...
11:45am Sat 19 Nov 11

so if people don't want foxes in their backyards or on their farms, where are they supposed to go?

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