#BORO Fox released back into wild by RSPCA
A fox rescued by police and the RSPCA after youths terrorised him with dogs in Middlesbrough has been released back into the wild.
The male fox - known as a ‘dog’ - was taken to a local veterinary practice for checking over after the incident at about 8pm on Beechwood Avenue, Beechwood on Monday night (25 January).
Cleveland Police were called to reports of young people having cornered the fox with their dogs who they were goading to attack him. Officers found the fox cowering in a corner against a wall and called the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Lucy Hoehne said:
“He was clearly petrified and there were reports he’d been bitten so I took him to the vets to be examined.
Fortunately, there were no injuries and, after being given some time to calm down and take some food and water, the vet said that he was able to be released yesterday.
We took advice from rehabilitation experts at our wildlife centres as to the best location to release him - normally wild animals are returned to where they were found but unfortunately in this case there were obviously welfare concerns about that.
We arrived at the release site just as it was getting dark and let him go. He seemed very happy to get back into the wild, where he belongs.”
Cleveland Police and the RSPCA are appealing for specific information about what happened. Anyone who thinks they can help should call police on 101 or the RSPCA appeal line 0300 123 8018.