Conservationists in Bristol have been left shocked after a man walking his dog in one of the city’s most famous nature spots refused to intervene as his dog caught and attacked a fox in front of a group of witnesses.
The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon at the Blaise Castle Estate in north west Bristol, according to members of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society, a group dedicated to protecting and supporting wildlife in the city.
The matter is being reported to the police this week and should be treated as a wildlife crime. The fox was collected by Sarah Mills, who is widely known as the Bristol Fox Lady for her efforts to save and protect urban foxes in the city, and taken to a vets, but tragically its injuries were so severe it had to be put down.
“A dog walker and her husband were shocked as a ‘very large and muscle-packed’ greyhound attacked and shook, and mauled a fox,” the report on the society’s social media page said.
“The owner watched and did nothing and after the dog had done its stuff, he left. The shocked couple had to wait until Sarah Mills got there and rushed the fox to the vet where injuries were so severe it was put down. This has now become a wildlife crime incident and there will be a post mortem carried out and report forwarded to Bristol City Council and the police,” the report added.
“The man was described as in his early 50s, well built and his greyhound was more powerfully built than the usual greyhounds seen. It had no leash and no muzzle and no attempt to do anything means the dog is a danger to, at least, wildlife. By the man’s reaction, this was nothing new – why someone would take a greyhound into an area with wildlife and let it chase and kill animals is open to question,” the report said.
“Dog walkers should be careful if they are in the park in case the man and dog return. If anyone has suspicions who the person is, please contact Avon and Somerset police. It is being treated as a wildlife crime and we are placing it in the hands of expert pathologists who will issue a report to police and City Council once completed,” they added.