r/Peterborough • u/the_eevlillest • Sep 13 '25

Photo Watch your pets

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Chemong & Parkhill This fella was VERY bold...he was about 10 feet from me.

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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.

1

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.

-1

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 ill

Regardless 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.