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Fox on the Loose in Haverford

The furry critter has reportedly been making the rounds in the township.

 
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Steve D'Emilio
Photos (16)

Photos

Have you seen the Haverford fox?

Several residents have spotted the critter making the rounds in the area but, according to Second Ward Commissioner Mario Oliva, it won't be here for long. On Friday an expert from the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission will be in town to help local animal control trap the male and transport him to a safer area.

Related Topics: Fox

foxy shazam

9:41 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Really? This is news? There are, and have been, hundreds of foxes in Havertown! Why are we going to move him to a "safer area"? This is his territory, he's not a threat to humans! Get a life...people!

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MerionManor

10:08 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Seriously! I think this Fox is in Ward 1 and he enjoys his natural habitat, my back yard. I've had Fox in my yard for years. I think his Den is in my creek. I hope his captors have warrants as they will be trespassing in order to remove him and will in turn be escorted off my property. I recommend that anyone else also forbid the township from property access for said Fox removal.

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FRANKW

2:08 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

There has been a fox on the loose in Havertown for years....just ask my wife.....Oh behave!

Sam Smith

10:35 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

If they only worried about the taxes as much. These commish's love this stuff they think people actually believe they are the high and mighty. I know let's get the deer hunt going again hmm what happened to that, still deer out there??? We spent thousands on that, where is all the equipment the township bought..

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MerionManor

12:57 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

That equipment can be found accompanying top township officials as they hunt. . . Or perhaps it's siting in that Rick's Shed type building we park our SWAT vehicle near; Either way, money well spent. You may not see the building as the view from Manoa road might, at any time, be blocked by the Townships' SEPTA bus (In case you are not aware the township acquired a full-size public transit bus, The exterior has been stripped of decals and the township purchased all new decals to customize it).

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George

2:37 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

How about that township manager who rides around in the township Explorer, decked out with red light sand sirens, with drugs and medication in the trunk area. Ride by his house on Greenbriar Lane and see the extension cord plugged into the trunk?

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MerionManor

3:25 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I sure hope the electrical receptacle on that telephone pole is somewhere connected to the electric meter on the house it's in front of, thus you and me are not paying for everything that gets plugged into it. Around the holidays it would be very tempting to plug in santa and his jolly snowman friend to the free outlet. . .

haverfordmom

11:05 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Hope the expert has better things to do

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smp

6:33 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

There's many foxes in the township and have been for years. I've been seeing one for at least three years near Naylors run and Manoa road. Kind of silly to bring in a state gaming commission expert to relocate one

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Havertown resident

7:20 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I hope it's not one of the two foxes who live on the Merion West golf course behind my house. There are lots of foxes in the township: Relax!

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MJP

8:35 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I echo the comments regarding the fact that there are scores of foxes in the twp. People may have noticed there are less bunnies around, which I am sure is directly due to an increase in fox and other predators (hawks, owls, etc). I do not see the foxes all too often, but at night, I certainly hear them calling, sort of sounds like a goose being strangled!

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MJP

8:39 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Also, notice who is credited with the photo's of the fox, I guess our commissioners have nothing better to do then to hunt down a rogue fox!

How about getting the public works dept. to trim trees, cut grass and make our parks look acceptable! Steel Field, Glendale, etc are all weed and vine choked messes!

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Nick123

8:44 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Agreed, this is silly. Leave him be. There are plenty out there. I've never seen them during the day though, just when walking the dog at night, so the pics are cool.

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Mike Falcone

9:08 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Are we turning in to LM? We have nothing better to do with our tax money?
They are and have been all over. What a waste of time and money.

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Dave

9:09 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

These animals are all over the township. I see them in my backyard in the Oakmont section of the township. I never thought of calling our commissioner to catch him, but I guess if he's trespassing on one of our commissioner's property, it's okay to spend township money to catch him. My only concern is that these pictures are daytime pictures. I believe the fox is a nocturnal animal.

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Maureen McGuire

9:23 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

We are spending money to trap this one specific fox when there are clearly a number of them living throughout the township? (I would love to know how the "expert" will know if it's the same fox as the one in the picture.) As far as I can tell, the only problem they create is on trash day, when they go looking for food. Leave them alone!

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Danielle

9:59 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I've seen three running around my street together. Hope you move the whole family together or that will be sad to break them apart.

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Lauren Stevenson Yacina

10:02 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Seriously? Leave the fox alone. There are scores of foxes in Haverford Township, but more important ways to spend our money and energy than to hunt down and capture this particular one.

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Karyn Smyth

10:45 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Save the foxes!!
We have had 2 roaming our neighborhood for many years. They have never gotten in my trash or near my small dog. I have no problem with them livi g in thier domain at the end of my street. Let them be!

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elaine benedetti

12:56 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Can we spend our tax dollars on something more important than removing beautiful, native animals from their natural habitat????? Leave the fox (and his many, many family members who are constantly spotted in Havertown) alone!

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smp

12:55 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Those aren't even all one single fox in the photos. It is also a different fox than the one(s) we see in the morning and after nightfall, which is leggier and has much more black on its fur. My daughter saw it this morning 5 feet in front of her on the way to school. Hope the 'expert' can give Oliva a little education.

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Robert

12:54 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

This fox kept the Squirrels in check this year. Last year the squirrels ate through my roof causing all kinds of damage. Haven't seen them this year, but I did see this fox. Leave the fox alone.

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Hava Nigela

1:23 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I like Steve D, but in this case he is sounding like one of those homeowners that runs around when a piece of trash is on his lawn. Really "a" fox? I live across from Merion and Deer/Foxes/Skunks (ugh not in early AM) are more pleasing to me than crappy neighbors!

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Mary Beth Ryan

2:31 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I absolutely agree, leave them alone!!! Did you Commisioners ask the public if our money could be spent on this? I love seeing these natural living creatures in our back yard, they are beautiful and to my knowledge, have not caused any issues or trouble? The foxes were here before we were. Now if it was attacking people or had rabbies or something, then thats different. If anything, the foxes are probably keeping the vermon population from increasing, so therefore they ate good for neighborhood! Look up what happened when the goverment removed all wolves from National Parks, it threw off the natural balance of things. They since have spent millions replacing to their natural habitat. Learn from their mistakes.

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denise mccrossin

5:14 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

We have foxes and racoons in our neighborhood in the Llanerch section of Havertown. They never bother us except to make my dogs crazy when they see them. Don't see any point in relocating them - there are way too many!

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alicia

5:44 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I personaly love seeing the wildlife in Haverford township. We have a falcon that has been with us for some months now, very majestic to say the least and the foxes are so nice to spot running along the streets and front yards. They are not to my knowledge causing any trouble, and mostly not seen during the day. I would feel really bad for anyone to remove any animals from the township and ship them off to somewhere else. If they are not rabid I say leave them alone and focus on more important ways to spend money on.

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Jeff

8:31 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I was walking by in the Reserve last year and saw an entire family (very cute). I guess the older males are out on the search (hint, hint). No need to gather these animals. Better to watch the movie " The Fabulous Mr. Fox" classic.

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Paul Hogan

10:07 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013

We've had deer running down the center of Lincoln Ave. in the past don't you want to bring in the Game Commission to trap and relocate them also? While we're at it let's trap and relocate the beautiful Red Tail Hawks in our yard and lets definitely get rid of that Vulture we saw across the street a few years ago. I don't think trapping and removing a beautiful gift of nature is going to , lower our taxes ,repay badly spent money, or help anyone's re-election. Leave the fox alone and attend to real township needs. I love this township and have lived here for 71 years and don't think you could improve it by removing one fox, which I haven't read is a rabies threat as of this time.

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MJP

11:01 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013

****UPDATE!!!!****

The Commissioners have called an emergency meeting to discuss the discovery of mice in the township. One Commissioner stated "I personally will ensure a task force and an external panel will be hired to find a solution for this disturbing problem that plagues our fine township"

As of press time, Ace Ventura has been put on retainer and will be assisting the township animal control officer with this project, expect a sizable tax increase to deal with this issue.

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Sam Smith

3:59 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

According to the e mail i got from the Westgate Commish he has named the Fox "freddy" . Not much to say, just that Havertown should be called Haverclown because the people that run it are a bunch of Clowns,,,

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George

10:23 am on Friday, February 8, 2013

I am waiting for the commissioner to send his K-9 unit out to hunt the fox. He was the big push for the K-9 so I am sure he will have the dogs in his neighbor soon to tracking down the fox. $$$$$$$$$$$

Anne

10:29 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

I have a friend who lives in the area where the fox was reported. She's certain the report came from a woman who is afraid the fox might terrorize her little dog, and who is the kind of person who's afraid of a lot in general to begin with. She must have called the commissioner, who had to look into it. I hope this woman's unfounded fears don't trigger any unnecessary actions regarding the foxes.

As for the fox being abroad in the daylight, due to the recent Darby Creek flooding, many of the small mammals that the fox (and possibly raptors as well) would normally eat simply aren't there. It makes sense to me that he (and the other foxes) would have to hunt out of their normal range and timing.

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Cate Ryan

7:56 am on Friday, February 8, 2013

I completely agree with the commenters who have expressed their opinion that this is a stupid waste of taxpayer money by our township. However this is not the first time the township commissioners have spent our hard-earned money foolishly. Sadly, it will not b the last time either. There is a huge amount spent to satisfy "Friends of the Township" and it's just too bad for the average taxpayer who is not well- connected.
Maybe we should hire an outside expert to go over how the commissioners' spend our money.

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Kathy

1:30 am on Sunday, February 10, 2013

Maybe someone can get a picture of the commissioners doing some real work for all tax payers - not just their circle of friends. Or maybe we can get a picture of the township workers on one of their many daily breaks - I wish I had a camera many times while taking the kids to school-watching the twsp 'workers' having breakfast at Hanne's every day - between 7 am & 8 am guaranteed - have breakfast for an hour - go to work for an hour - take a morning break, so on and so on throughout the day! Can we pay them for the hours they actually work and not pay them for all of their breaks?! Let's start a column where we can report the sighting of township workers on break. We need a time management/efficiency expert hired for monitoring township employees that we pay with our ever rising tax dollars and forget out the fox expert.

Dom Barrett

8:11 am on Friday, February 8, 2013

I saw a fox in my next door neighbor's back yard this morning 2/8. Looked healthy. I say leave him be. This was his neighborhood first, right?

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Bil Longua

7:33 am on Saturday, February 9, 2013

We have foxes in Pennsylvania? I've never heard of such a thing!! I always thought they were wild packs of Pomeranians. ;)

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Ruth

1:52 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013

We have seen many foxes over the years running through our yard, streets, Karakung drive, and many other places in Haverfrd Twp. It is always a thrill to spot one. Leave the fox be.

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Kathy

12:57 am on Sunday, February 10, 2013

Wow! It only took 20 years for the township officials to find out there is a fox in Haverford Township. Somebody try and break it to them gently that there are many more. I'd worry more about the raccoons and other rodents that roam the township and leave the fox alone. Or here's an idea - how about doing something to re-route the deer to another area.

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Anne

9:19 am on Sunday, February 10, 2013

As I mentioned before, a woman who complains a lot about everything and is afraid of much made a complaint about the fox. I'm just sorry the story made it into Patch. I'm amazed at how much negativity there is towards the commissioners.

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MerionManor

12:21 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013

Anne, Frankly there should be if they listen to this complainer!!!! We should be commending our commissioners when they ignore folks with silly complaints like this!

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MJP

8:42 am on Monday, February 25, 2013

maybe get the foxes to pay taxes, then the commissioners would be on board!

anne, why are you amazed at the negativity, do you live in HT?

Frank

11:52 am on Sunday, February 10, 2013

The kids have been calling him Fred for years. He is not rabid. He is just stupid or has insomnia as he likes to be out in the daytime. Either way, please leave him be.

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frank breslin

12:20 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

Haverford Township is a great place to live and the fox know better than we do...thats why they are here and not on the computer complaining about stuff...and being a city kid i get a thrill out of the wildlife----a big big owl sits in a tree in my yard---better than the discovery channel....vultures...fox everywhere--you cant beat it

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Mindy

11:19 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

Perhaps we need a "township commissioner" relocation plan. We can trap him and humanely release him and the woman afraid of the beautiful foxes. We will relocate them to the city. Those creatures have more right to be on this land then we do so wake up commissioners and stop wasting everyone's time!

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Bill O'Malley

10:29 am on Monday, February 11, 2013

I only wish the township looks into closing some of the fire companies in this town. Geez, we have more equipment then Philadelphia. Why can't Haverford close some of them and partener with Radnor and Marple. I guess I'm thinking about what Camden did with the county police

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Marilyn Park Momma

3:02 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I can't say I'm thrilled with this damn fox right now. He has flipped my trash, screams in the middle of the night in my yard making my dog go crazy, and my daughter's special blind cat that she loved very much got out from a worker leaving my door open. She never leaves my porch tho. She just likes sun. Well she disappeared completely and I'm guessing it's because the fox is over here by merion west running around causing problems. Now my dog bolted out the not quite closed yet screen door and took off after the fox that's been torturing us. I hope I get my dog back. Losing another close family pet will be devastating. Im laying here unable to sleep because I don't know where my dog is and I'm very upset. I'm not very happy with this fox. Please relocate it. Our family is crushed. They are scavengers, not beautiful wildlife. They have attacked children in some areas too. Get rid of him.

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MJP

8:55 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I am sorry to hear about your pets, that is a shame, especially the cat.

Foxes are not scavengers, they mostly hunt mice and other rodents, which really is a plus for humans.

But, it was not a fox, "...foxes frequently encounter cats and may feed alongside them. In physical confrontations, the cats usually have the upper hand. Authenticated cases of foxes killing cats usually involve kittens"

There have been a few documented cases of foxes biting children since 2002, meanwhile, dogs bite 4.7 million people per year.

Your trash cans were probably upended by either raccoon's, opossums or skunks. Your dog, unless a very small breed, would 100% scare a fox away.

Plus, there are hundreds of foxes in the area, not just one, so cheer up and take comfort in knowing that a fox is no threat to you or yours.

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