A KILLER fox ‘the size of an Alsatian’ has been roaming the streets and has recently beheaded a family cat and slaughtered five chickens.
The beast has been prowling around Stretton late at night leaving a trail of carnage in its wake, according to concerned residents.
The fox’s latest victims were five hens belonging to Colin and Jane Haywood.
Mr Haywood, who lives with his wife in Beech Avenue, Stretton, was alerted by his next-door neighbour after the animal was seen breaking into the chicken coup in the back garden and mauling the birds.
Five birds lost their lives but only three bodies were recovered. The surviving hen was left traumatised and injured.
Mrs Haywood, who bought the animals around a year ago, said: “People are giving food to these foxes and it is causing chaos.
“The chickens were ripped to pieces. I am devastated.” A seven-year-old cat belonging to Michael King, also of Beech Avenue, was also killed by what is believed to be the same culprit.
He said: “The cat slipped out of the house and ran away. It was missing for a while before its dismembered body was found by my wife.
“Its head and neck had been torn off and one of its legs. The head and leg were nowhere to he seen.” Mr King and the Haywoods said people feeding foxes were bringing the animals further into built-up areas.
Mr King said: “My neighbour is absolutely broken-hearted about the hens. The foxes are running riot.
“The fox I have seen around here is as big as a medium-sized Alsatian.” However, Lindsay Newell, manager of Burton Wildlife and Animal Rescue Centre, said re-locating urban foxes was not possible.
She said: “Foxes are opportunistic animals and they will do what they need to get food.
“Foxes attacks of any kind are very uncommon. They will very rarely attack cats and often they will live in the same areas without any trouble at all.” She said regardless of people feeding foxes, the animals would be present in built-up areas.
