Poisoned? Then REPORT and SUBMIT

 

If you ever take a sick fox into a vet and it dies then let us know, If the vet says "It's been poiisoned" then tell them it is a possible wildlife crime and as its poison the fox needs to be submitted to the Wildlife Crimes Investigation Unit or, in Bristol, contact Bristol Uni Post Mortem Services and ask to submit the fox for post mortem examination (PME).

If the vet refuses here is what to bear in mind:

While a vet is generally bound by strict client confidentiality, the [Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons](https://www.rcvsknowledge.org/.../when-is-it-safe-to.../) (RCVS) explicitly allows them to bypass this rule and report concerns to the relevant authorities if they believe the wider public interest or animal welfare is severely compromised.

The illegal use of pesticides or poisons can be reported to the government's [Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme](https://www.hse.gov.uk/.../wildlife-incident...) (WIIS) on 0800 321 600.

We have had seven vets in Bristol over the past few years who have told people "Its been poisoned" and in all cases the foxes were victims of car strike.

"Poison" -report and submit. NEVER EVER state an animal has been poisoned unless you have evidence as certain symptoms often quoted as evidence of poisoning can be related to other causes of death.

Thank you and good night Vienna.

The Actual Number of Badger Deaths in Bristol

 

 I did a recent post on the Fox Project Bristol and my blog about reported so KNOWN fox deaths and what the actual total might be.

 https://terryhoopernaturalist.blogspot.com/2026/07/182-reported-dead-foxes-total-is-higher.html

 That was scary enough but then I wondered whether statistics could guestimate the actual number  of dead badgers in the City and County of Bristol (yes, for those who did not know Bristol is not just a City). So far we have had 73 reported death so ....

The actual number of badgers killed is likely much higher than 73 . Experts estimate that up to (50,000\) badgers die on UK roads yearly. Studies show that for every dead badger seen and reported 2-3 others often die nearby or off-road from their injuries. Therefore, 73 observed deaths could mean 146  to 219 actually died.

First off it used to be 100,000 then 60,000now 50,000 is the estimate. I do not believe that after the cull took 300,000 badgers that 50,000 are currently dying. The population is so low and even though no longer present in certain areas (due to the cull) that 50,000 each year would mean we have 2-3 years before badgers are extinct.

I have asked Highways England and they do not record what dead animals their teams remove from roads. A simple email reading "Orpington  23 06 2026 badger" (or "fox" could be sent. How long does that take?  But local highway authorities such as Bristol City (Green) Council's Street Clean Team will not even cooperate: they just pick up and send for incineration.

That said, sadly, a total of 146+/- would not surprise me. And remember this is just road deaths not death by rodenticide, snaring or illegal killing by local badger men and badger baiting (yes, that still goes on).

Rather like foxes and the fast decreasing UK population I think it time English badgers were moved onto the Red List as a species facing extinction. 

"FOX POISONED!!" Well, maybe not. The Need for Caution anmd Evidence in Fox Death Cases

This was posted to The Greenwich Wildlife Network:

Fox Guardians

WARNING to wildlife lovers and pet parents in Broadstairs! There is been a string of fox poisonings in the Stone Bay area (Eastern Esplanade, town centre end). So far 7 (!) cubs and 1 vixen have been found dead in the garden of a fox lover in quick succession.

The cases which constitute a wildlife crime have been reported to the wildlife officer at Kent police.

If one of your fox friends arrives and is struggling to breathe and seems wobbly, get them to a vet as soon as possible. Briar House Vets have been informed about the poisonings and Kent Wildlife Rescue Service could help getting the fox rescued.

If you find a dead fox in your garden, do not handle the body as the police would only consider collecting it for a postmortem if it was not 'contaminated' by being handled. Poisoned foxes often have a frothy discharge caming from their mouth.

I know this is challenging but do take pictures from various angles and call to police quoting crime reference number #09-1286.

Currently this case is "closed" due to lack of evidence but that could change because someone somewhere may know something.

If you know something, be the voice for foxes and speak up. If we don't show compassion, what is it that defines us?!

The vixen in this picture (not included in this post –TH) is a juvenile called Hazel. She is such a sweet little soul that I had the pleasure to look after over the last 2 weeks. She lives just a few gardens away from where the seven fox cubs that were of the same age as her were cruelly poisoned.

At 5 months old, their lives had only just begun. Their lives were not our to take. I and Hazel's guardian Jill are so very worried for her and her family. Be safe little one!

 

I responded:

Hi.

I have run the British Fox Study since 1976 and headed the onmly UK post mortem study of unusual deaths in foxes. The first question I have to ask is whether there has been a post mortem (in suspected poisoning cases you can get free PMs via the Animal Plant Health Agency) to identify poisonings?

The reason I ask is that when we started our work we had foxes that were found dead and unmarked in feeders gardens, foxes seen staggering, coughing and then collapsing. All were suspected poisonings.

As it turns out all were victims of cars -no broken bones found but all injuries were internal. Some were even found to be down to unsuspected illnesses. It can never be put down to poison until a post mortem as that will involve tests etc.

In case anyone is interested in what our study found I will include a link. https://foxandcanids.blogspot.com/.../bristol-foxes-study... I can be PM'd

I should have pointed out  that the discharge/froth from the mouth could also indicate thoracic damage. The only way you can 100% state poison is after testing.

 I also need to point out that Kent Police are talking complete and utter crap if they did say they would only handle a fox that has not been touch. I could use stronger words. Kent as a county is not known for liking foxes and I suspect the police just cannot be bothered because it was a fox.

A post mortem examines the internal organs and test samples are taken to check for poison and to identify what it was –if a crime or suspected crime the police tend to do nothing if my experience over the last few decades proves anything. If it is a rodenticide then it can become an investigation by the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS). The person recovering the fox, the lab technicians etc all handle the fox and there has NEVER been the line “If touched we can do nothing” –a police Community Service Officer collected two foxes and a cat in a suspected poison case and that was after reportees had moved the animals to keep safe. In that case all turned out to be road casualties.

The knee jerk “It’s poison!” statement once spread, as we found in Bristol, attracts almost hysteria and local journalists love a “juicy story” – “The Bristol Fox Poisoner(s)” was a result of absolutely no evidence but people stating as fact anything they heard. 

At least three vets with different foxes stated “Its poison” –all foxes were found to have internal injuries caused by cars.

If 182 Foxes Is The Known Number Killed -What Is The Actual Total?

 

I get used to the comments from morons (I am no longer polite about this) that the more foxes killed on the road the better for gardens, homes and the environment.

I am not joking. I once pointed out to a woman whowrote this that foxes were good for the environment and the best pest controllers for rats and micve that you can have. "I'd sooner have the rats!" was t6he response.

Another person who did everything possible to discourage foxes BECAUSE "I have a garden rat" ignored all the advice and told me "No one asked for your opinion -it's my garden!" About 9 months later she was posting for advice as "my garden is over run with rats".

AQt the moment we have recorded 182 known fox deaths in the City and there is a way of trying to guage from that the actual number that have died -I will upload the document on assessment to files).

Hold on to your seats:

If 182 foxes are counted as road casualties, the true number is likely much higher. Wildlife studies show that reported roadkill usually accounts for only 1/12th to 1/16th of actual casualties. This means the probable actual number of foxes killed is between 2,184\ and 2,912

That is terrifying to even think about with a national fox population that is declining at a steady rate 0thanks to humans. I would like to thyink the number is lower at 300+ which is still far too high but when drivers go speeding during the day and night and kill pets and don't stop or report and even hit people....at night it is free reign!

Fox Snaring

 

Just had to post this out to a local community group:

 Hello.

Can I warn members to be alert if they have pet cats in the area. Bristol Wildlife Rescue were called out to a fox in Rudgeway Road that was victim of a snare. This has now been reported as a wildlife crime to police.

Snares will catch hedgehogs, pet cats and other animals(including birds). If anyone has information regarding snaring in the area please contact the police."

Details:

Tuesday 30 06 2026 Rudgeway Park, Rudgeway, Bristol BS35 3RU

Male 4.6kgs   Elderly   Damage originally caught in snare.  Ruptured Lung diaphragm and liver  Slowly bleeding internally and black dark blood visible from back end

Pts at Vets4pets who are reporting this as a wildlife crime.

People Try to Stop A Sick Animal Being Treated -Can They?

 legally, they generally cannot prevent authorized professionals or a member of the public from taking a sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal to a vet or rescue for adequate treatment. However, in practice, bystanders can create conflict, and there are varying rules depending on the situation and location. [1, 2]

The Legal Standing (UK)

Taking for Treatment: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 legally permits anyone to take a sick, injured, or protected wild animal from the wild for the express purpose of providing it with adequate treatment and supportive care until it is fit to be released. [1]
Prevention Rights: A member of the public does not "own" the wildlife on their property. Therefore, they do not have the legal right to stop an authorized person (like an RSPCA officer or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator) from recovering or helping an animal in distress.

Private Property and Trespass

Access Rights: Private landowners can prevent rescuers from physically entering their land based on trespass laws. However, if an animal is in distress, rescuers often work with local authorities to negotiate access or involve the police to prevent an animal from being subjected to unnecessary suffering. [1, 2]
Interfering with a Rescue: Intentionally obstructing a lawful wildlife rescue or abusing a rescuer can escalate into a civil dispute or even a criminal offense, particularly if the prevention leads to cruelty or a protected species being harmed. [1]

Handling and Ethics

Intervention Debates: While people generally cannot stop rescuers, there is an ongoing ethical debate surrounding the rescue of wildlife. Some individuals believe in the natural order of things (survival of the fittest) and may voice frustration or try to stop well-meaning rescuers from intervening, though this does not grant them a legal right to stop the rescue. [1, 2]
The Danger of "Killing with Kindness": The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council actively warns that while the public's intentions are compassionate, unlicensed or untrained individuals attempting to keep and treat wild animals themselves can cause more harm or delay necessary veterinary care. [1]

How to Handle Confrontation

If a property owner or bystander is attempting to obstruct a rescue, professional organizations strongly advise the following steps: [1]

Avoid confrontation: Step away to ensure personal safety.
Document the situation: Note the location, the animal's condition, and the person preventing the rescue.
Involve authorities: Contact the Police or a national animal welfare charity (such as the RSPCA in the UK) to handle the dispute and ensure the animal receives the care it needs. [1, 2]

It IOS in "The Public Interest"

 

 The New Hunting Ban

Do you want these men to have more of a say on hunting than you?

A Freedom of Information request by The New Hunting Ban has exposed the pro-hunting lobbyists invited to a government “round table” meeting on hunting law, while the consultation on trail hunting continues.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has refused to disclose what was discussed, claiming that releasing the contents of the meeting “would not be in the public interest”.

So here’s the question: whose interests are being protected?

It is our duty to make sure the voices of those who promote the suffering and death of our wildlife are drowned out by those who love animals and want hunting with dogs ended for good.

Take part in the consultation. Tell the government a ban on trail hunting alone will not be enough. The Hunting Act must be strengthened to end hunting properly.

There's less than two weeks left before the consultation closes - the most comprehensive guidance on completing it can be found here: https://thenewhuntingban.com/trail-hunting-consultation

#TheNewHuntingBan