The Baldauf Women Strike Again!

Steer Clear of 'Beautiful' Wild Foxes
By JOY L. WOODSON - jwoodson@thestate.com

Forest Acres city officials are warning residents to stay away from wild foxes roaming through city neighborhoods.

While rabid foxes are not uncommon in Forest Acres, city administrator Mark Williams said he recently received a flurry of e-mails from concerned citizens who suspect folks are feeding the animals.

“That’s probably not a smart thing to do,” Williams said, “because foxes are a vector for rabies.”

This time of year, when pup foxes are old enough to search for food, residents may see more of them, said Tim Ivey, chief of regional wildlife operations with the state Department of Natural Resources. Although the animals are nocturnal, it’s not unusual to see the pups during the day, he added.

“They’re not aggressive by nature,” he said. “They are very timid normally.”

Ivey said recent construction has forced some foxes to leave their dens in search of new homes.
Rabies is a concern, but more often canine distemper causes foxes to become lethargic and less fearful of humans, Ivey said.

“When they see an animal like that they just need to stay a from it,” he said.

Mary Pat Baldauf, a Forest Acres resident, said she became concerned about the city’s fox population when she heard that people were feeding the animals.

“We keep hearing about these foxes and seeing them,” she said. “I was just concerned about people feeding wild animals and trying to tame them.”

Her mother, Mary Baldauf, said she and her husband have seen the foxes on evening walks or drives through the neighborhood. Other neighbors have seen the silver-haired animals sleeping on decks or in driveways “like they own the place,” she said.

“But they’re beautiful,” Baldauf said. “You’re kind of attracted because it’s an oddity.”

They don’t seem harmful but you never know, she added.

Each year, about 400 people in the state are treated against rabies, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. There were 13 confirmed rabid animals in Richland County in 2006. Raccoons topped the list with seven confirmed cases; foxes followed with three cases.

DHEC spokeswoman Clair Boatwright said it seems nice when humans and animals get along, but it could be dangerous attracting them with food.

“It’s a sweet, kind thing to do, but it’s a risk,” she said.

SAFETY TIPS
Do not feed the animals or leave pet food outside. This encourages them to return.

Do vaccinate your pets. This reduces the chance of spreading rabies or other animal-related diseases to pets and owners.

Do not pet or adopt stray or wild animals that you do not know.

Do be wary of nocturnal animals, such as foxes and bats, out during the day or normally tame animals acting aggressive.

Do immediately wash wounds with soap and water if you are bitten, contact a doctor, and report the incident to the local health department.

SOURCE: Department of Health and Environmental Control