Foxes have become such a familiar part of urban life that many of us have grown attached to them, even if they do scatter litter across the lawn, screech at night and have been known to bite children.
The affection has grown to the extent that more people are taking them on as pets, in the mistaken belief they make an exciting alternative to dogs, animal charities have warned.
The new owners quickly realise, however, that the animals will never become tame and cause havoc as they tear the house apart, leaving a stinking trail in their wake.
Fox preservation organisations say that they are rescuing increasing numbers of the animals that have been abandoned by their owners or have strayed far from home.
“It’s