Bromley father fears for his baby following fox 'waltzing' in house

10:17am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Heloise Wood

Joseph Gillinder with partner Vix and baby Violet Joseph Gillinder with partner Vix and baby Violet

A FOX crept into a Bromley home leaving a worried father fearing for the safety of his four-month-old baby.

Joseph Gillinder, of Havelock Road, had just put the bins out at around midnight on October 7 and turned to find a fox in his hall.

The 31-year-old who lives with his partner, Vix Henstock, 28, and four-month old baby, Violet, is now calling on foxes to be culled.

He said: "It is one thing to have the mangy horrible creatures waltzing around the neighbourhood but last week one actually came into my house.

"I was confronted by one in my hall way - it had waltzed in to my house whilst my back was turned for just a minute whilst putting out the bins.

"It was in the hall and I didn't want to chase it into the house so I took a few steps back towards the door and it ran out.

"We have a very small baby in our house and that makes it not just a small problem but one of utmost concern and worry.

"I dread to think what one could do to a small baby."

He added: "I’m not normally for any kind of culling but when it comes to situations like this, I think a culling might be in order."

Mr Gillinder said the creatures also leave excrement in his garden.

He says the problem could be solved if the council started issuing wheelie bins (although he has purchased one himself) as these are less likely to be scavenged by foxes.

Portfolio holder for public protection and safety Councillor Tim Stevens said: “In line with our neighbouring authorities, Bromley Council’s approach to foxes is to discourage an increase in their population without physically harming them.

“This is achieved by advising residents to stop doing things that might encourage foxes.

“These include removing attractions from the garden, sealing up holes and hiding places and encouraging neighbours to do the same.”

For more information go to the council website.

Comments(45)

patwoodhouse says...
11:10am Mon 15 Oct 12

Why on earth didn't he put his bins out in the morning? And rather than wait for the council to provide a wheelie bin, why doesn't he go out and buy one? As for his comment that foxes leave excrement in his garden, where exactly does he expect them to leave it?

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Heloise Wood says...
11:17am Mon 15 Oct 12

Hi patwoodhouse, Mr Gillinder does actually have a wheelie bin, I think he was just talking about council policy in general. I've amended the article now to mention this fact, thanks for your feedback.

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Carparkattendant says...
11:47am Mon 15 Oct 12

patwoodhouse wrote:
Why on earth didn't he put his bins out in the morning? And rather than wait for the council to provide a wheelie bin, why doesn't he go out and buy one? As for his comment that foxes leave excrement in his garden, where exactly does he expect them to leave it?
And bears sh*t in the woods !

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Bob Downondiss says...
11:53am Mon 15 Oct 12

How about just shut the door while you put the bin out numb nuts.

Well it aint rocket science is it, or is it for you ?

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PaulErith says...
12:23pm Mon 15 Oct 12

The problem I have with statements such as "I’m not normally for any kind of culling but when it comes to situations like this, I think a culling might be in order."
is that we have built more and more houses, and lost more and more countryside. We then complain that foxes are around the cities. They're pretty harmless. There are a handful of reported cases of foxes attacking humans. Compare that to the number of dog attacks on children. A fox is by nature an extremely nervous creature that does not want to come in contact with humans.

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Outandabout says...
12:53pm Mon 15 Oct 12

"Bromley father fears for his baby following fox 'waltzing' in house". Surely it was a Foxtrot?

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Outandabout says...
12:57pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Kill them all. My DVD collection could be taken, there is no more evidence of this happening as there is for a 'Dingo baby' type abduction either so my fears should equally be valid!

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Tonic says...
12:59pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Poor animal obviously got confused - he must have thought Vix was short for vixen.

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Excalibur says...
1:52pm Mon 15 Oct 12

There's only one 'mangy horrible' creature in this saga, and it's not the fox! What a sad attention seeker this bloke is.

Foxes are timid and harmless creatures, yet they're being villified by attention seekers shrieking scare stories about them 'invading houses' and 'attacking babies'. What rubbish.

Shame on the Newsshopper too for constantly giving all sorts of these scare-mongering animal haters a platform.

What next, someone 'horrified and scared' because a spider appeared in their house?

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mouthalmighty says...
2:40pm Mon 15 Oct 12

I use a jam jar or something akin to that and slide a bit of cardboard under it and then throw spider outside. We had a grasshopper the other day on the ceiling. Just left it there.

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mysticpoppy8 says...
2:53pm Mon 15 Oct 12

why not close the door if you are worried about foxes getting in the house.

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mouthalmighty says...
2:55pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Also on these cold nights, I always shut my door when putting out rubbish, because, rats, mice, moths, bats snd allsorts can get in really quickly. Plus keep the warmth in for your baby.

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Invicta58 says...
3:08pm Mon 15 Oct 12

I've put hippo repellant on my bin and to date I've never discovered one. Proof it works, and probably for foxes too.

Or do what Mouthalmighty suggests and use a fox-sized jam jar.

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Threadworm says...
1:36pm Tue 16 Oct 12

You have to feel sorry for these idiots dont you LOL. to a fox it was just an ally not an opportunity it couldnt miss to go and eat a child LOL LOL . I think this couple have just made themselves look complete and utter idiots, at least their neighbours will have a good laugh at their expense.... I think for a good paper in general they need to stop all these idiots jumping of the poop in the garden stories..... maybe they should be culled for pooping in their own toilet, im sure the rats dont like being wacked on the head in the sewers.

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Threadworm says...
1:52pm Tue 16 Oct 12

mouthalmighty wrote:
Also on these cold nights, I always shut my door when putting out rubbish, because, rats, mice, moths, bats snd allsorts can get in really quickly. Plus keep the warmth in for your baby.
I love your comments, lol I wonder if they tape the windows in summer to keep the wasps and bees out who are more of a danger to their child than foxes

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bizzymum says...
4:57pm Tue 16 Oct 12

What a shame the NS photographer couldn't get a photo of baby Violet with her arms folded and looking grumpy! She's a cutie. x

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eltham_girl says...
5:18pm Tue 16 Oct 12

Yet another example of NS needing a proofreader...the quotation marks should be "waltzing in." I doubt that Mr Gillinder was describing the fox dancing!

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Oldchap says...
8:22pm Tue 16 Oct 12

This story made the Evening Standard, but in that version the fox "crept" into the house (not waltzed) and was heading for the baby's bedroom

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Threadworm says...
12:47am Wed 17 Oct 12

I expect it from Evening standard. They are all for fox hunting.
Maybe the fox found a map in the hall directing it to the babys bedroom...

How did he kow it crept in, he was putting the rubbish out

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PaulErith says...
12:15pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Oldchap wrote:
This story made the Evening Standard, but in that version the fox "crept" into the house (not waltzed) and was heading for the baby's bedroom
I noticed that last night too. Amazing that such a non-story has made it to a London wide newspaper. I had a fox in my house a few years ago after leaving the back door open. It ran out when it saw me. I don't even recall mentioning it to anyone let alone telling a paper because it wasn't really very big a deal.

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mysticpoppy8 says...
2:31pm Wed 17 Oct 12

The fox was creeping upstairs to use the loo, to save fouling the garden

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angelswings says...
7:30am Thu 18 Oct 12

So sad when these beautiful animals get a bad press I photograph the foxes that live in my garden every day .I treat them daily with Psorinum drops in jam sandwiches so they don't have the terrible mange.They interact with my 3 cats and I have photos of them really Waltzing (not with the cats). Sadly a neighbour hates them and paid for one to be trapped and shot last month, so I now only have 4.

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lourosy says...
8:55am Thu 18 Oct 12

What a complete ***** , does he need re educating in basic English comprehension as well?

I really would love a cull on these idiots and their supporters. Poor baby needs adopting into a humane and fox loving family. Not some right wing weirdo in Bromley.

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mouthalmighty says...
10:17am Thu 18 Oct 12

And so the comments go on. Where has Joseph been living? On the moon? Foxes are not a new phenomenon; is this his first encounter. Because this may explain his shock and horror and his lack of skills in keeping his family safe.

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the wall says...
10:44am Thu 18 Oct 12

Won't somebody please think of the children?"

Wildlife comes into contact with human, shocker. Human repsones must kill.

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VintagePirate says...
11:05am Thu 18 Oct 12

I think the important part of the story is that the fox left the house straight away.
My advice would be close your door when you leave the house at night because next time it could be a burglar or worse! D'oh!

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Threadworm says...
11:10am Thu 18 Oct 12

The last of his worries are a fox, the youth of today lay in wait for an open door.....I guess if they have been reading the comments they feel pretty stupid.... lets cull him for stupidity shall we seeing as he thinks all foxes should be culled

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Invisible says...
3:21pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Yet another non-story; just so that some fox-hating **** fool can get his and his family's picture in the local paper. Get a grip for heaven's sake!

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treesrgreen says...
5:26pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Here we go again, same old story lets kill this animal lets kill that animal. As humans we are at more risk of harm from fellow humans than a poor fox seeking warmth and food.

I'd love to cull half the good for nothing population incase they attacked or robbed me - but of course I cant. So I just take care and remain vigilant.

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Guess who ;) AGAIN ! says...
9:48pm Thu 18 Oct 12

treesrgreen wrote:
Here we go again, same old story lets kill this animal lets kill that animal. As humans we are at more risk of harm from fellow humans than a poor fox seeking warmth and food.

I'd love to cull half the good for nothing population incase they attacked or robbed me - but of course I cant. So I just take care and remain vigilant.
Get yaself some CCTV


ROFL

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eric d. says...
11:31am Fri 19 Oct 12

Oh pul....eeze. Yet another family who are paranoid and witless about foxes. What they really mean is they don't like the odd bit of fox poop in the garden and so have dragged their baby into the equation hoping the Council will slaughter foxes! Leave the poor foxes alone for goodness sake, they have enough to put up with. Harmless, nervous animals who suffer a huge media hate campaign. Grow up.

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Aztec Focus says...
11:58am Fri 19 Oct 12

I wonder if Mr Gillinder is mistaken about the Fox 'waltzing' in. Surely it's more likely to have been a Fox Trot?

I'm no expert, but I do enjoy 'Strictly Come Dancing' from time to time and I bet the judges on that could resolve this.

Hope this helps.

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mouthalmighty says...
3:32pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Threadworm. Are you seriously saying only today's youths wait for an open door. I am pretty sure foxes and thieves were about 70yrs ago as well. There is very little new-ity around apart from gadgets. Human nature is just that, nature(natural).

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reasonable75 says...
6:48pm Fri 19 Oct 12

remember the bloke who nearly got mugged by a fox, which then stole his garlic bread?

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Skittleface says...
8:34pm Fri 19 Oct 12

This man is so concerned about the safety of his child...yet he'll leave his front door wide open?

I'm sure a complete stranger would cause more harm than a wild fox.

Any excuse to get a section on the news.

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Skittleface says...
8:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12

One thing I forgot to mention, I wonder how he would have reacted if a cat were sitting in his hallway, or a squirrel?

I doubt he would have freaked out as much. But because it was a fox...

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D.D.S.B says...
11:47am Sat 20 Oct 12

Cats are quite clean and tidy, but i'd be fairly concerned by a squirrel partly because they'd be more difficult to catch or chase away in the right direction. Both fox and squirrel are quite likely to defecate everywhere apart from any other concerns about safety.

I believe the correct level of concern rises thusly: Cat, Squirrel/Fox, Badger, Rabid Dog, Jimmy Saville.

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mouthalmighty says...
1:19pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Jimmy saville? That man we all struggled to like and respect. I knew there was a reason he got buried in concrete. He's made mugs of the whole world. Mastermind or chancer?

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Gypo.Joe says...
1:54pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Jim fixed it alright, ......for himself.

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toomush2drink says...
5:05pm Sat 20 Oct 12

By its very nature a fox is a predator and it should be fearful of humans as we are the bigger predator.Unfortunate
ly because of idiots feeding them and thinking they seem to own them as family pets this natural fear is being broken down.They now see humans as a food source.

Its only a matter of time before they start to be responsible for more attacks on children etc.
We get them coming through our garden during the day and quite frequently i have found them face to face with my littleuns on the other side of the patio doors in the afternoon.When a predator bigger than my child isnt scared i have a problem.
We unfortunately have a neighbour who likes to feed them so they think everyone else wants to feed them too.
They are wild animals and should not be encouraged to interact with humans by being fed by them.

Let them stay wild and go about their business which naturally means they are scared of bigger predators, us.

This way if they fear us they stay away and incidents like this will remain rare.

Culling should only be needed if numbers get too high in an area and the area cannot sustain them.

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floyduk says...
10:38am Sun 21 Oct 12

Seriously, this is news?

Has this guy got some kind of attention seeking illness?

When you put the bins out try shutting the door you moron. How the hell did anyone take this story seriously at the NS?

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EverardEdbutt says...
10:39am Sun 21 Oct 12

The news shopper got nowhere with their witch hunt against Staffies so now they are turning on foxes. Loads in our area due to sloppy waste management at Sainsbury's at Selhurst park and lazy neighbours who put food waste out in the recycling bins but neglect to replace the lid. Get none in my garden though, my dog has seen to that!

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Threadworm says...
11:34am Sun 21 Oct 12

Tomush....another load of bull ??it "until they attack more children" LOL LOL you pathetic idiot. Nobody other than a complete ar se ever believed they attacked those children....maybe santa claus did it or tooth fairy....just listen to yourself lol

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roboo1 says...
2:19pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Well, well, well. It is now late 2012, and the charade continues. The 'New Shopper' now muscles in to keep the ol' fox propaganda machine up and running, with a truly pathetic, laughable, non-story that should never have even seen the light of day.

So, let me get this straight; some geezer sees a fox in his 'hallway' and it makes a news 'article' ? Did I get that right ? He thinks it's cause for 'concern' because there is a baby in the house. So what ? When has there ever been a PROVEN case of a fox attacking a child ? Name just one. And please don't refer to that ludicrous claim made by a middle-aged couple two years ago. 'Threadworm' is absolutely spot-on when they say, 'nobody but a complete **** believed that 'story' '.

The press, as well as the Tory MP's, REALLY DO think the public are a load of 'plebs' and will believe anything they hear or read. Sadly, sometimes they are right, as in the case of the man in this 'article'.

The fact that the middle-aged couple turned down DNA sampling, suggested in order to get their growing opponents to 'back off', and even refused a bite anaylst anywhere near their kids, also suggested to help them prove what they were saying was 'true', not to mention all the inconsistencies of their 'account', speaks volumes.

And poor, sad gullible fools, like the guy in this sorry excuse for an 'article' laps everything up, like the good little sheep that he is. Just the same old BS, different day.

I, and a million + cerebral others, wish these idiots that run to the press with these pathetic reports, not to mention the even bigger idiots who write them and 'OK' these 'articles' would grow up, once and for all.

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MMetaller says...
10:46am Thu 8 Nov 12

... He left his door open...


...at midnight...



....as he left the premises....



.....With his baby alone upstairs?


Was this guy raised in a barn?!


Oh wait! If he was; then he wouldn't be such a big wimp complaining about a fox!
¬_¬

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