Fox family?

Fox couple

Fox couple

Laura York, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

 

Q. Thank you for your interesting article about the red fox in the January 2021 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living ("Red fox, gray fox, and wily coyote," pages 12–13). My husband and I have recently noticed two red foxes in the field behind our house. We are hoping they are male and female and are planning on starting a family soon. It would be so fun to watch the little ones like you mentioned in your article. Do you think the foxes are a threat to small dogs? We have a fence around our yard because we have two dachshunds. 

 

A. Hi, Laura. Anytime you see two red foxes together during late winter they are very likely a male and female mated pair. Keep an eye out for puppies this spring! As for your dachshunds and the foxes, I wouldn’t worry about them too much behind a fence. But if you have coyotes in the neighborhood, definitely be concerned, as coyotes can easily scale a fence and are very aggressive when it comes to small dogs.