2 Dead Red Foxes

[naturegirl]

Well seeing as the DNR never came out. I called the Dog pound and they are coming out to pick the babies up asap to get them. Dog Pound agrees that the DNR are useless.

Cindy

[Maggie-NC]

Cindy, I'm really sorry these fox died, for whatever reason.

Fox do carry rabies and you can get it from an open cut or wound. Also, I would be very careful in approaching any animal like a fox or raccoon that may look dead because they may only be stunned and, if they are rabid, may attack you. Even if they're not rabid, a bite could still be dangerous. It might not be a bad idea to carry something like a long stick to move them so you don't get too close until you see they are actually dead. Also, move slowly around them and don't make sudden movements....just in case.

You know, when I first read this, I wondered if they were traveling together and a car hit them both. There might not have been any blood if they had internal injuries.

[amoonswirl]

Originally Posted by Lady Tarheel

Cindy, I'm really sorry these fox died, for whatever reason.

Fox do carry rabies and you can get it from an open cut or wound. Also, I would be very careful in approaching any animal like a fox or raccoon that may look dead because they may only be stunned and, if they are rabid, may attack you. Even if they're not rabid, a bite could still be dangerous. It might not be a bad idea to carry something like a long stick to move them so you don't get too close until you see they are actually dead. Also, move slowly around them and don't make sudden movements....just in case.

You know, when I first read this, I wondered if they were traveling together and a car hit them both. There might not have been any blood if they had internal injuries.

I was wondering the same thing about a car...
A very long time ago, I came upon a beautiful little red fox that had just been run over by the car in front of me. Before I had time to think, I pulled over and ran to try comforting it where it lay...the poor thing died in my arms. (I had been watching "foxxy" every evening in the same area of woods as I drove home from work and was just so overcome with emotion when it was hit that I didn't stop to think about being bitten or hit by a car myself as I sat in the middle of the road with a wild animal in my lap.) But long story short, there was no blood or external injury whatsoever. It just died from internal injuries.

So...I say it is entirely possible that these two babies were both run over...not that it makes the situation any less sad. But at least if it was an accident that's better than an intentional killing.

[naturegirl]

Thanks guys but something is still up with these two as after the 3rd day they didn't even start to stiffen up the least. I have... since discovering these put rubber gloves in my jeep and also a mouth surgical mask to be on the safe side also an extendable rod. I could see from the road they were no longer breathing that is the only way I walked out to them. I called the dog pound up and they came out and removed them for me. They too said they would hate to see another animal or bird get ahold of them and get sick or die, they were out there in less than 1/2 hour. Thanks for all the help and advice, it is advice well taken. Thanks again

Cindy

[amoonswirl]

Originally Posted by naturegirl

Thanks guys but something is still up with these two as after the 3rd day they didn't even start to stiffen up the least. I have... since discovering these put rubber gloves in my jeep and also a mouth surgical mask to be on the safe side also an extendable rod. I could see from the road they were no longer breathing that is the only way I walked out to them. I called the dog pound up and they came out and removed them for me. They too said they would hate to see another animal or bird get ahold of them and get sick or die, they were out there in less than 1/2 hour. Thanks for all the help and advice, it is advice well taken. Thanks again

Cindy

Hi Cindy,
I think that rigor mortis is a temporary state in which the muscles tighten. And after a certain amount of time they do relax again. So you may have just missed it. Temperature and environmental conditions do affect the onset as well as the amount of time it takes to dissipate. (i took some forensics studies once...)

I hope hope hope that you do not see any more cases like this. And glad to hear you put the protective gloves, etc in your car. Good thinking!!

[CHRISTIN RN]

Hey, Birdie Family!

So Sorry, Cindy, That You Had To Experience Such A Terrible Event!
Bless You For Arranging To Get The Obviously Poisoned Foxes Out Of The Reach Of Some Unsuspecting Creature!

Most Important, However, Is To Please Be Careful Of Such Situations In The Future. There Are Human Predators That Will Intentionally Place Dead Animals In The Road And Await Someone To Stop And Get Out Of Their Vehicle! Always Best To Call The Police And Ask For Them To Please Drive To The Scene Before Getting Out Of Your Car....especially At Night!
I Recently Came Upon A Beautiful Duck Laying In The Middle Of The Road At Night....i Drove A Few Blocks To My Home And Asked A Neighbor To Accompany Me To Go Check It Out. It Was Deceased, So I Just Picked It Up With Gloves And A Bag And Had It Disposed Of The Next Day At The Town Shelter.

We All Have Big Hearts Toward Our Animal Friends, But Have To Think Before We Act For Safety!

Blessings To All!

[wallflower]

I love animals as much as anyone(even more than others on here,killing poor deer ) But you can't expect the DNR to go out to every road killed animal.If they were injured yes,but there was nothing more to do with these other than bury them,poor little babies. It sounds like they were killed by a car.I think people are jumping to conclusions to say they were poisoned.The odds of them passing at the same time would be incredible.

[Tilly]

Originally Posted by wallflower

I love animals as much as anyone(even more than others on here,killing poor deer ) But you can't expect the DNR to go out to every road killed animal.If they were injured yes,but there was nothing more to do with these other than bury them,poor little babies. It sounds like they were killed by a car.I think people are jumping to conclusions to say they were poisoned.The odds of them passing at the same time would be incredible.

That's what I think too. Probably they bounced from impact. That happened to my neighbor's cat. The poor thing was hit and impact bounced it about 30 feet.
It's a shame no matter how they died.