Fox attack: Heathmont pet rabbit believed taken by feral pest

A fox is believed to be roaming Heathmont backyards, feasting on family pets — and Maroondah Council says there’s nothing they can do to help.

People in Vivani Crescent have found foxes roaming in their back gardens. Picture: Supplied.

A fox is believed to be roaming Heathmont backyards and feasting on family pets.

And a father of two whose rabbit disappeared believes Maroondah Council can do more to help catch the creatures.

Vivani Cres resident Shane, who did not want his surname used, had one of the family’s two rabbits disappear three weeks ago.

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Shane had the rabbit, Lulu, locked in its pen outside and is convinced a fox broke in and took the pet.

He said he saw foxes in the street every week and his wife noticed one in their backyard last week.
“It’s a sad thing for our kids,” Shane said.

“Initially we put it down to gone missing sick and ran away, but it doesn’t take much to put two and two together.”

Shane said Maroondah Council officers told him they was nothing they could do as the incident happened on private land.

Foxes have been spotted across suburban Melbourne. This pair were on a Mt Waverley roof.

He said fox catchers cost about $500 and the council could have offered more support.
“$500 is a lot for an individual with no guarantees it will catch one,” Shane said.
“If it seems to be more of an issue, they (the council) could be more proactive, instead of putting responsibility onto the landowner.”

Members on Facebook page Meanwhile In Heathmont also spoke out with similar stories.

Warren Pietersz said he had seen and heard the fox in Vivani Crescent and other animals “squealing” for their life.
Karen Wigg said she saw the fox almost every evening.

Bec Purcell said she suspected a couple of foxes lived in vacant overgrown blocks on the street.

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said fox control was the responsibility of individual landowners and council officers were not authorised to deal with them.

He said residents could find more information to assist with fox removals on Agriculture Victoria’s website.

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