SECAUCUS AND BEYOND — The Secaucus Health Department issued a notice today in regard to the “high number” of local red fox sightings. Foxes have been spotted in Schmidt’s Woods and in Mill Creek Point Park.
The notice alerts residents that the creatures do not generally pose a safety or health concern for local residents and that steps can be taken to protect small pets, as well as to decrease the likelihood that the animals will roam near resident properties.
It is not uncommon to find red foxes in residential communities. Most predation occurs at night.
Residents are concerned that the foxes will go after their dogs or cats. The notice includes information for residents including keeping their pets indoors at night and under supervision when outdoors. Foxes will dig or squeeze under poorly maintained fences and may climb over small fences.
The health department advises that residents scare foxes away with loud noises if seen in proximity of their property. People uncomfortable with the presence of foxes should remove attractants such as food sources, pet food, meat scraps, and compost piles, and fruit from fruit trees, exclude foxes with fencing, and employ scaring techniques.
The notice also warns residents to avoid foxes that appear sick or that are acting abnormally since they can carry contagious diseases such as mange, distemper, and rabies. A fox with rabies or disease may be shows signs of unprovoked aggression, impaired movement, paralysis or lack of coordination, unusually friendly behavior, and/or disorientation.
The town advises residents to call the Division of Fish and Wildlife (908) 735. 8793 ext. 3 with any non-emergency wild animal concern. The emergency Control Unit or the DEP hotline (877) WARN-DEP should be contacted if assistance is nee4ded with a diseased animal.
BEWARE OF ANIMALS: Secaucus residents warned about red foxes in area
