COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart

"To ask the Manager to circulate residents in Owendoher Crescent on the health and safety hazards of leaving food for foxes?"

REPLY:

The Principal Environmental Health Officer reports that there appears to be an increase in the fox population in the greater Dublin region. Although a wild animal, they are liked by many people.  Zoologists classify them as a part of the biodiversity of Dublin City and County and there are groups in the universities studying the profile and behaviour of them in this urban area.  It is estimated that urban foxes can find plenty of food from the natural predator prey regime in cities and there is no need for people to feed them. The introduction of wheelie bins has restricted their access to waste domestic food as they generally cannot overturn these bins.  However, foxes can also cause noise disturbance during the night when they excite domestic animals.