Baby Recovers After Fox Attack

A baby boy is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a fox in his London home.

Four-week-old Denny Dolan was treated for hand and facial injuries at Evelina Children's Hospital after the animal attacked him on 6 February in Downham.

It is believed that one of the baby's fingers was severed but later re-attached by surgeons.

The BBC's John Andrew said: "The mother was at home and heard this awful scream, went next door where the baby was, found it had been dragged from the cot onto the floor and the baby's hand was in the jaws of the fox.

"She was obviously in a terrible panic and did what she could to get the fox off, including kicking it. Eventually it did let go but the baby was found with quite serious injuries."

London Mayor Boris Johnson: "This sort of attack, though terrible, is rare, but we must do more to tackle the growing problem of urban foxes.

"They may appear cuddly and romantic but foxes are also a pest and a menace, particularly in our cities.

"This must serve as a wake up call to London's borough leaders, who are responsible for pest control.

"They must come together, study the data, try to understand why this is becoming such a problem and act quickly to sort it out."

A Lewisham Council spokesperson told the website: "Local authorities and animal welfare organisations have been advising residents on ways to make their homes and back gardens less attractive to foxes. These can include repellents and making sure that waste food is always disposed of in secure, lidded bins and containers.

"Residents should always be careful when leaving doors and windows open. We must all do this together for it to be effective in discouraging foxes from our neighbourhoods."

(GK)