Foxes are fair game after NSW pest species declaration

EXCLUSIVE

Dozens of people across the state own tame foxes that are considered as much a part of the family as any cat or dog.

Foxes are to be officially declared a pest species across NSW.

Fairfax Mediacan reveal a Local Land Services (European Red Fox) Pest Control Order 2014 will be gazetted by theNSW government in the next fortnight.

The decision follows a draft order released for public feedback in October, which attracted almost 1800 submissions the majority of which were in favour of the law being passed.

The order bringsNSWinto line with all other states and paves the way for the "co-ordinated control" of a feral species estimated to cost Australia's environment and economy more than $227 million annually. However, the law also signals the death knell for a registered charity called Sydney Fox Rescue which, for three years, has saved injured and orphaned fox cubs and, through various socialisation programs, successfully adopted them out as pets.

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Dozens of people across the state own tame foxes that are considered as much a part of the family as any cat or dog. But those owners must now apply for a permit from Local Land Services to keep their animals. It will now be illegal to keep any new foxes in captivity. And by law, any fox cub that is found abandoned or injured in the future must be euthanised.

In a statement to be released on Monday, Minister for Primary Industries KatrinaHodgkinson, who is responsible for allNSWnational parks, describes the order as a move that will benefit "landowners and the wider community", adding: "Foxes are not companion animals this pest control order sends the clear message that they are pests, not pets."

Sydney Fox Rescue confirmed on Saturday that it lodged a proposal during the draft consultation phase for the inclusion of a "permit system" that would allow it to continue its work, and for people to continue keeping foxes privately.

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Foxes are fair game after NSW pest species declaration