Pet rabbit and dog killed by fox in Essendon
An Essendon family are in tears after finding their pet dog and rabbit killed by a fox in a brazen overnight massacre. But more attacks could be coming as dozens of people from Moonee Valley say they have seen foxes lurking in their backyards and in the street.
North West
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A family of four have been left devastated after waking up to find their pet dog and rabbit killed by a fox.
Fady Malek said he and his wife Belinda woke on Monday morning and found their yorkshire terrier Oscar lying in the backyard of their Essendon home with bite marks on his neck.
They then found what was left of their rabbit Charlie.
Mr Malek said a council officer came to their home and confirmed a fox was responsible after they took the dog away and examined it.
“I’ve seen a fox in the area before, but not for months,” Mr Malek said.
“We thought we were safe in a residential area surrounded by high fencing.
Mr Malek said he’s not sure how the fox got into their property.
“We have a fence around our whole property and I can’t see any holes in the bottom of the fence. We think it jumped the fence from the vacant lot next door.’
The couple’s 10-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter were so upset they had to take the day off school.
“We are obviously all heart broken, especially my wife who was very close to the dog. The kids are in tears. We’re trying to help them come to terms with what happened.”
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Mr Malek said he’s not sure how the fox got into their property.
“We have a fence around our whole property and I can’t see any holes in the bottom of the fence. We think it jumped the fence.”
The attack comes after dozens of people from Moonee Valley say they have seen foxes lurking in their backyards and in the street.
Aberfeldie tennis courts, Flemington Racecourse, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Racecourse Rd in Newmarket, and Flemington train station are just some of the places the furry fiends have been spotted.
Pete Simpson said a fox dug under his chook pen and ate his chickens.
Elouise Lonsdale said she saw one crossing Racecourse Rd in Newmarket last month in broad daylight, and two foxes were caught on camera hanging out in Flemington Racecourse.
Foxes are an introduced species that thrive in urban areas by scavenging for food scraps in rubbish and eating weeds, fruit and roadkill.
You can deter foxes by registering sightings at FeralScan, protect fruit and berries, secure household rubbish and compost, don’t leave pet food out, secure your pets, especially chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, and prevent access to underneath your house.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning was approached for comment.