Sir, – Tony Bates beautifully described an encounter with a fox (“A Zen teacher in my own back garden”, HEALTHplus, September 10th). I love and respect animals but by the end of the article I felt uncomfortable. It might seem kind to feed foxes but I feel it prolongs the very hard life they have as urban foxes. He is enabling her to have more cubs, who will have to scrounge a miserable living relying on the kindness or carelessness of strangers either feeding them or leaving rubbish about.
These foxes are often starving and unhealthy, which is bad for them but they can also transmit diseases to domestic animals. People in reduced financial circumstances can face difficulties in paying vet bills for a beloved pet.
Practically too, what will Tony’s fox do when he goes on holidays or has to be away for a prolonged period of time? I am not an expert in this field – I just like animals. It might be better to give a home to an unwanted dog and let the foxes retreat to the countryside. – Yours, etc,
RUTH MURPHY,
Albany Road,
Ranelagh, Dublin 6.