More on the fox attacks in London

The Daily Mail is carrying more information on the terrible attack by an urban fox on the two infant daughters of high street fashion designer, Pauline Koupparis.

And the Mail columnist, Rory Knight Bruce, reflects on the problem of the urban foxes and their romanticisation in the wake of the fox hunting ban: -

"Too many urban dwellers adopt a soft-hearted attitude to these predators, who are foolishly seen as cute, cuddly and clever. It is an outlook that can be seen in whimsical films such as the recent smash hit The Fantastic Mr Fox, based on the book by Roald Dahl. Similarly, Labour’s ban on fox-hunting encouraged a mawkish eagerness to romanticise this aggressive creature – a pathetic instinct that was symbolised when Labour MP Mike Foster held up a furry toy fox outside Parliament to celebrate the passing of the legislation.

I wonder if all those animal rights champions feel quite so pleased with themselves after the tragic news that an urban fox in North-East London has appallingly mutilated two young twin girls. This incident exposes the claims from the so-called animal rights brigade that urban foxes don’t pose a danger to humans or pets

... So, given all the problems that the urban fox causes, what can be done to counter this menace? By law they cannot be gassed, poisoned or killed in lethal traps. The only effective methods of control are either shooting or the use of humane traps, but these have to be done by professionals. It is an offence, for example, to use a firearm near a highway or inhabited property.

One thing is certain – we cannot allow the situation to continue. Previous generations never sentimentalised the fox, instead holding him to be an enemy of mankind. One 16th century chronicler wrote that ‘his nature is deceitful, malicious, crafty, covetous, rapacious, perfect in all villainy’. We should learn from this. In reality, there is nothing fantastic about Mr Fox."

Terrible fox attack on private home in London

Two nine month-old twins, Isabella and Lola Kouparris, were mauled in their nursery whilst their parents were watching the finale of Britain's Got Talent. The windows had been left open on the ground floor (the house is in a urban development and in a good neighbourhood), due to the heat wave and an urban fox snuck in and attacked the couple's two youngest children. Luckily, the girls' elder brother was left unharmed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to their parents, Nick and Pauline Kouparris, after this awful incident. And it's a relief to hear that the girls are in a "serious but stable" condition at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

MSN UK carries an account of the story here. Whilst Times columnist, Janice Turner, reflects on the problem and the unfortunate but possibly necessary solution.