Ok, so, I originally come from a country with ZERO foxes so this is new. I first met this fox as I was out at 1:00 AM during a brisk walk after an argument with someone. I was just trying to cool my head when this fox came out of nowhere from a nearby parking lot. It was all fine until I realized it was following me and was quickly getting closer than a usual fox would dare. I ended up running and of course it chased me (no idea if it did chase me or was just curious why I was running so it decided to run too). That was a week ago and now this fox has been visiting the front of our apartment building around 10:30 pm onwards. So far I’ve met it 4 times. I have 3 tiny dogs so I don’t dare to go out with them all alone with this fox just lurking and waiting in the dark (and yes, you can see its shiny eyes in the dark). One of the visits, it tried to walk up to us, like just inches away before our dogs barked at it like mad. It did back off but peed just right outside the apartment building’s door (as shown on the pic, next to the bicyles). We thought maybe it would be enough and it won’t come back anymore but here we are. It’s currently outside as I type this.

Is there any way I can do shoo this fox away? Do you think it will harm our dogs? Why is it stalking us? And what did I do in my past life to deserve being chased by a fox in the middle of the night?

Thanks, Sweddit!

https://preview.redd.it/b65gbhr5n3ob1.jpg?width=1134&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc6aff52d7b9764da85f397f20d5e4651f02613b

https://preview.redd.it/so8bygr5n3ob1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7addca204276c089c386efd78300a9af1e068fe

https://preview.redd.it/fmlz4hr5n3ob1.jpg?width=870&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33f00c35c01f45a2c80c636287f0ff69f5df09d8

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The original was posted on /r/sweden by /u/YourMiserableLife at 2023-09-13 22:28:59+00:00.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    Shot_Painting_8191 at 2023-09-14 06:05:43+00:00 ID: k0j7fcy

    They get used to humans. If someone fed it, it just follows you thinking it will get food. They’re amazing animals, but they can have rabies, so i wouldn’t try cuddling with it. The best thing you can do is to just let it be.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    ComplicatedDude at 2023-09-13 23:21:20+00:00 ID: k0h6r82

    It may be attracted to the scent of your small dogs, and indeed, a fox can absolutely attack a small dog. If your dogs are under something like 8kgs, then the fox may see them as a potential meal. It’s rare, but it happens.

    I think it’s more likely that it has a den somewhere nearby, and is just young and curious and poses no threat. It would be virtually unheard of for it to attack you. Though, if it is used to people or has been fed by people, it may come right up to you, and either try to bully you for food (by nipping at you) or just plain stare at you with its “Give me food please” expression. It doesn’t know that you don’t know what that expression is because it worked on the person or people that fed it.

    Generally, I wouldn’t be concerned, but do watch your own dogs closely. Carry an extra dog lead to use as a whip when out with your dogs. If the fox approaches then whip the extra dog lead against the ground, in the foxes direction and it will run off.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    R0381N at 2023-09-14 03:27:15+00:00 ID: k0i4uvv

    This happened to me too once. I was just so amazed to be near a fox, which normally would be very shy. I was out in the woods by myself doing some wood carving, suddenly this young female fox shows up. Very small, just barely big enough to be an adult fox. Curious about me and my stuff, it even came up to me to sniff on my hand - I even touched its little wet nose. Then it tried to steal my backpack. I tried repeatedly to chase it off, but to no avail - It ran for a few metres and then returned. In the end I had to leave my calm spot in the woods, the fox just didn’t give up.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    LSDisHellaFun at 2023-09-14 05:16:09+00:00 ID: k0ihce0

    Never heard of such an encounter but I would use a watergun or spray bottle to shoo it away. Can’t be much different than a cat?

    And it’s probably not dangerous unless you let small dogs or cats walk free since it might attack them. Otherwise it won’t beef with you or your dogs if you have them on a leash.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    Dynamitella at 2023-09-13 23:19:33+00:00 ID: k0idgve

    Just kind of go “bLRGEEGHERGHARGH” and wave your arms around in its general direction next time.

    Somebody is probably feeding it, making it think humans = food. If you scare the bejesus out of it a few times it’ll leave you and your dogs alone.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    Brorly at 2023-09-14 05:31:26+00:00 ID: k0ijbo2

    I used to have a fox visit me when I remade my driveway. It was very young and very curious. I came to the conclusion that some of my neighbours must’ve fed it. After a week or two it stopped showing up. Just don’t feed it and scho it away if it gets to close.

  • Dannebot@leddit.danmark.partyOPMBSvenska
    1·
    1 year ago

    liinand at 2023-09-14 05:14:25+00:00 ID: k0igbw0

    Its probably someone feeding it. Try scaring it away a few times.

    If you see one with scabies or if its aggressive against you or your dog you can call you kommun. They have kommunjägare that can fix it. But that’s just if it’s bad.