Sponsored by
Bird deaths could have been work of rogue fox
A ROGUE fox rather than a "prowling maniac" may be have been responsible for decapitating a Conisbrough teacher's pet birds.
A whole community rallied round Balby Street Primary School teacher Jo Downing after her hens and ducks were viciously slaughtered last week.
But it seems efforts to find a human culprit may have been misplaced.
South Yorkshire Times reader Michael Coward believes the raids on three separate nights which left the headless bodies of ducks and chickens strewn around neighbouring gardens fits the behaviour of an urban fox.
Michael, of Toll Bar Road Swinton, who saw the story on the front page of last week's Times, said: "It sounds to me that the culprit you are looking for is a fox. It happens all the time - my mate lost 19 birds in exactly the same circumstances and foxes are becoming more prevalent.
"I know the lady was upset but I hope it will at least allay fears that there is a maniac prowling around in Conisbrough. Foxes do decapitate their victims and I understand the lady found paw marks and bite marks".
It is understood a fox has been seen in the area.
Ms Downing said it would be a huge relief to her if it was found a fox was responsible.
"It certainly could be an explanation - I know foxes are becoming more common in urban areas these days and I would sleep better at night knowing it was not vandals. It is wonderful that someone would take the time to phone you with a possible answer to the problem. I have been overwhelmed with responses and there have been lots of varying solutions to what happened. People have stopped me in the street and passed comments of sympathy since the story and I really appreciate that. It restores your faith in human nature."
Ms Downing has installed CCTV cameras in her garden to try and solve the problem once and for all.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Yorkshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
