Melbourne residents demand action as foxes attack beloved household pets in backyards

Management of Victoria’s “extreme” fox population has been put under the spotlight after a spate of domestic dogs and cats were viciously mauled by the pests in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.

Foxes are causing havoc for pet owners in Melbourne's inner suburbs. Picture: Pixabay

Victorian pet owners are demanding action to tackle the “extreme” fox population after a spate of attacks on beloved household dogs, cats and small pets.

Foxes are considered one of Australia’s “worst pest animals”, believed to be the primary cause of the decline in small mammal species in the country, according to the state government.

But while considered a serious threat to livestock and wildlife in Victoria, it remains a landowner’s responsibility to eradicate pests, including foxes, from their own properties.

Now in the depths of breeding season, residents of Melbourne’s inner suburbs are demanding a higher-level crackdown on the fox “plague”, surfacing a major debate: Should responsibility ultimately lie with local government, state government, or with property owners?

A Boroondara resident argued their local council should “accept responsibility for the issue” and develop their own management of fox populations after a fox brazenly stalked their tiny griffon bruxellois dog walking around the yard.

Footage shared by 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate shows the owner’s second dog quick to come to its pal’s rescue, running at the fox to try and scare it away.

But the fox wasn’t easily deterred, sneaking around from another side of the yard and launching itself at the tiny pup before attempting to drag it away.

The second pooch once again swept in to the rescue and scared the fox away.

The owner said it wasn’t the first time a fox had set its sights on pets in the neighbourhood.

“Our neighbours recently encountered a similar situation where a fox tried to take their toy poodle from their backyard,” the owner told Jacqui Felgate, as shared to her Instagram.

“The dog survived but had to receive vet treatment at considerable expense. There have also been other reported attacks of small dogs in our neighbourhood.

“Response from council has been underwhelming to say the least with council acknowledging the issue but failing to offer an effective solution to manage fox populations that are residing on council land.”

Boroondara Council confirmed to the Herald Sun the limited options it had to address the fox population.

“The only course of action available to council is to destroy dens given the danger associated with shooting foxes in urban settings and the risk to other animals when using poisons,” a spokesperson said.

“If all landowners including the state government focused on destroying dens, it may make a difference but is unlikely to eradicate the fox population.

“The Victorian Department of Agriculture has responsibility for foxes under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Under the Act, red foxes are declared as established pest animals. The Act requires all landowners to take responsibility for foxes, including fox dens located on their land.”

Residents from numerous Victorian council areas, including Nillumbik, Kingston, Whittlesea and Bayside, have shared similar concerns on the lack of action being taken to address the fox population.

“I’m having the same problem with the Kingston council as a fox jumped the fence and was in our backyard at 2am trying to get our bunny. We reported to the council and they said it’s not their responsibility and to contact the body corporate. The body corporate told me to contact the RSPCA,” one person wrote on Instagram.

Some Victorians are worried culling foxes could cause a rabbit population boom. Picture: Supplied

A resident of Bayside City Council said when she complained of a neighbourhood fox, she was told to catch it herself — despite the council insisting locals report sightings of foxes along the foreshore or within parks and reserves.

“Fox baiting and trapping programs have been difficult to undertake in Bayside due to the numbers of unrestrained pets roaming at night, and the risks of their poisoning. Rapid re-invasion occurs after control measures are implemented,” it states on its website.

But not all Victorians are on board with frustrated pet owners, some saying pets should be locked inside while foxes freely roam neighbourhoods.

“Leave foxes alone and keep your pets indoors,” one wrote.

“If you cull all the foxes, you’ll probably end up with a rabbit explosion,” another told 3AW.

Wildlife rescuer Krysti Severi had sympathy for the foxes.

“It’s not their fault they’re here. Brought over for sport! They’re surviving any way they can,” she said.

The state government currently offers a $10 bounty reward for fox scalps, acknowledging the population is “beyond eradication”.

“Effective, long-term control of established invasive species such as foxes and wild dogs is best achieved when everyone in the community is working together,” Agriculture Victoria stated on its website.