Family Worries About Foxes Getting too Friendly - WSET.com - ABC13

Reporter: Carleigh Griffeth

Appomattox, VA- A neighborhood in Appomattox is having a fox problem. The area, right across the street from Appomattox Elementary School, has had several fox sightings. Now one family has had enough.

The Surratts say they've seen several foxes regularly wandering around their home for the past several months.

They've made several calls about their fox problem to the county and the State Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. But at the moment, it seems they're stuck with their sly little friends.

"If I lived ten minutes outside of town and had five acres, I could take care of the problem myself. But seeing as how we live within town limits, I can't discharge a firearm in the town limits. I'd go to jail," said Ken Surratt.

But their problem keeps getting worse.

"In the beginning it was every couple of days. But lately within the last two weeks we've been seeing them every night, hearing them every night," said Sarah Surratt.

These foxes are venturing closer and closer to the Surratt's home.

"They should run away from you but it just wanders around and looks at you, and screeches at you," said Ken.

"Sometimes in a, especially in a suburban community they can get used to being around people. They kind of lose their fear of people," said Jim Bowman, a wildlife biologist.

Bowman says you can usually scare an unwanted fox away. But it seems the Surratts are dealing with some pretty stubborn foxes.

"The other night they actually, we actually threw a brick at it and it still took its time to clear out," said Sarah.

The Surratt's have an autistic son who loves to play outside. The family even moved to Appomattox from Virginia Beach so he could have a bigger yard. But these days Clinton isn't getting to enjoy it as much. That's because his mother worries what could happen if he comes face to face with one of these foxes.

"My biggest fear is my children getting hurt," said Sarah.

Another one of the family's fears is rabies. Foxes can carry the disease without showing any symptoms. The Surratts have decided to hire someone to trap the animals for them. They're hoping to relocate their furry little friends by next week.