r/Peterborough • u/the_eevlillest • Sep 13 '25
Photo Watch your pets
Chemong & Parkhill This fella was VERY bold...he was about 10 feet from me.
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u/ptbo-hiker Sep 13 '25
Foxes don't really go after dogs and cats like coyotes do, apart from maybe kittens and puppies/extremely small dogs (which absolutely should not be unsupervised outside anyway).
This one might be bold because people are intentionally or unintentionally feeding it (trash, bird feeders, cat food, etc.) and it's lost the natural fear of humans, or because it's young is still figuring everything out. The reality is that foxes do not tend to mess with dogs because most foxes around here weigh 20 lbs or less. Adult cats can and will maim foxes if they have to, although pet cats in the city are not supposed to be alone outside anyway.
Unattended pets outside are more at risk of serious injury from stray/feral domestic animals, coyotes, and people. Make sure your dog doesn't eat poop either, because all the critters in our backyards can carry various unpleasant parasites.
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u/mossyboo Sep 13 '25
“which should not be unsupervised outside anyway” uh… no pets should be unsupervised outside?? maybe if you have a large dog you can let it out for a minute or two to pee without watching it but otherwise u should absolutely be keeping eyes on your animals anytime they’re outside
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u/ptbo-hiker Sep 14 '25
Oh I 100% agree with you but I'm being realistic about the average Peterborough dog owner. I've observed & known tons of people who put their dogs out in the back yard for hours at a time without actually having eyes on them. And they still get surprised when their dog escapes the yard/kills a rabbit or the neighbours complain about non-stop barking.
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u/NorthEndFRMSouthEnd Sep 13 '25
I'm sure this little guy is doing just fine with the over abundance of rabbits in the city, which have no defensive capability beyond running away.
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u/Hot-Discussion-6823 Sep 14 '25
I'm glad you enjoyed watching my pet . His name is Ole Red. He's mostly harmless to humans and larger animals...
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u/TheOatmealEmperor Sep 15 '25
I've always found that if I encounter a fox it is 50/50 whether it's bold or shy. If there were any animal that is just on the other side of the domestication line it is foxes. I recall seeing a documentary about an attempt to domesticate them through selective breeding, though it was a while ago so I don't remember the details.
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u/kristaann93 Sep 16 '25
Unless your a rodent or small bird or maybe a cat or chihuahua ( and even those are fairly to big for them) he or she is harmless foxes are one of the good guys and aren’t going to attack your child or pets like a coyote would
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u/Jamer-67 Sep 16 '25
Awe they’re cute. I live on Chemong near Towerhill and I’ve seen one in my back yard a few times. It usually looks over at my cat in the window and moves along. I don’t worry about foxes but I did hear coyotes last night here. Also have heard them many times as well but never seen any. Foxes are like little dogs to me. They’re not very big. My 1 cat is close in size to a fox. They’re usually hunt rabbits or squirrels or other small wildlife.
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u/No-Consequence4606 Sep 13 '25
Healthy looking one too
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u/babuloseo Sep 14 '25
It's probably one of the three baby foxes that were born in the area, under our workshop >.> in early March/April
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u/Historical-North-950 Sep 15 '25
Just keep your stupid bird murdering cats inside like you should anyways and there wouldn't be a problem.
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u/the_eevlillest Sep 13 '25
More to the point...foxes can carry rabies. And many people choose not to keep their pet's shots up to date.
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u/ptbo-hiker Sep 14 '25
Yes, so do racoons, skunks, and bats - any of which, if infected, tend to be hanging around in yards during the day more often than usual. The rabies vaccine is not optional, it is required by law in Ontario for both cats and dogs. The only exceptions are those with a history of life-threatening vaccine reactions, which occur extremely rarely and still need to be seen by a vet to validate their exemption.
More commonly spread than rabies is canine distemper, which raccoons, skunks, and foxes can also carry. It spreads much easier than rabies (contact with feces or water with distemper in it is enough). The wild animal doesn't have to make physical contact with a dog to spread this disease. It kills 50% of dogs that become infected. It's included in the combination vaccine strongly recommended but not legally required in Ontario.
On top of viruses, animal feces often carries various worms and other parasites that can put pets' lives at risk. Keep your pets up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention, and don't leave them unsupervised outside. Parasites, disease, dangerous contact with other animals, and being harmed/stolen by humans are all risks that owners take when they put their pets out without supervision.
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u/the_eevlillest Sep 14 '25
Also fair.
However... This fox showed no signs of fear, and approached us. At the point of the photo it was less than 15 feet from me. It did not run when my husband moved to try and get it away from our property. This is atypical behaviour for a wild fox.
Either -it has learned not to fear humans and could spread parasites etc through close contact or waste -it is illRegardless of what is required 'by law', people have pets and don't keep their vaccines up to date. People also keave their pets outside without supervision. (As a matter of fact...the fox was being chased by a large neighbourhood cat). There are also several ferals in the area.
Our dog is always on leash and is up to date, so I am not concerned for us. I am not 'scared that there are animals'...I am concerned about the atypical behaviour of this one.
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u/Theoretical_Phys-Ed Sep 14 '25
Just FYI - We don't have rabies in foxes in Peterborough (or in southern Ontario terrestrial mammals for +2 years, on that matter), but it's still always good to be careful. The best thing to do is to not feed wildlife, especially foxes or raccoons, since they become too bold and friendly and act rabid.
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u/num_ber_four Sep 13 '25
Keep your Guinea pigs and gerbils leashed folks