A fox has been found dead in a residential garden in Orpington after being shot with ball bearings in what animal welfare campaigners are calling a “brutal and deliberate” act of cruelty.
The adult vixen was discovered on March 20 in the BR6 area, with one ball bearing lodged in her nose and a fatal wound to her abdomen. The Fox Project, a charity dedicated to the protection and care of red foxes, has described the attack as “devastating” and part of a growing trend of wildlife abuse across south-east London.
String of Attacks Across the Region
This incident is not believed to be isolated. Similar attacks involving catapults and metal ammunition have been reported in Greenwich, Thamesmead, Bexley, and Priory Gardens in Orpington, where swans, squirrels, and even a greylag goose have been injured or killed.
The Fox Project confirmed it has notified the Metropolitan Police Rural Crime Task Force and is now calling on the public to be more vigilant and to report suspicious behaviour involving wildlife.
“It’s devastating to think that someone could find pleasure in harming a living being,” said a spokesperson for The Fox Project. “We are seeing a deeply worrying rise in attacks using catapults, often by young people who seem to face little or no consequences.”
Petition to Ban Catapults Gains Momentum
The Fox Project is backing a growing public petition to ban the sale and possession of catapults and associated ammunition. The petition, which has already garnered more than 15,000 signatures, urges the government to give police more powers to act when these weapons are carried without a legitimate purpose, especially in areas known for wildlife activity.
Campaigners say the current laws make it difficult for officers to seize catapults unless someone is caught in the act of causing harm.
Protest Planned at Priory Gardens
In response to the recent attacks, Greenwich Wildlife Network has organised a peaceful protest to take place at Priory Gardens on Sunday, April 6 at 1.30pm. The event will include leafleting, awareness-raising, and calls for local MPs to take action.
Organisers hope the protest will put pressure on lawmakers to take the growing issue of animal cruelty more seriously.
“What’s happening in our parks and gardens is heartbreaking,” said a campaigner from the group. “Our wildlife is under siege, and without tougher laws, these attacks will only continue.”
What You Can Do
- Sign the petition to ban public sale and possession of catapults.
- Attend the protest on April 6 at Priory Gardens, Orpington.
- Report any suspicious behaviour to local police or animal welfare groups.
- Contact your MP to demand stronger protections for wildlife.
Anyone with information about the fox shooting or other wildlife crimes is urged to contact Metropolitan Police on 101 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For more on how to support wildlife in your area, visit www.foxproject.org.uk.
