Residents over the weekend have reported sighting of an animal that resembles a fox within and on the outskirts of Roselle Park’s borders.
One resident, Jessica, stated that what she identified as a fox was coming from the direction of the Hawthorne basin on Meadow Street towards West Grant Avenue. The resident, at first, thought it was a huge cat but as it got closer realized it resembled a fox as it ran by their house.
“The tail was huge and it ran extremely fast,” she said.
Dawn, another resident, stated she saw a possible fox in Kenilworth running across Michigan Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
Even though foxes by nature are harmless, they may pose a risk to smaller pets or may carry disease. Additionally, coyotes are sometimes confused for foxes and vice versa. Police advise anyone who spots an unfamiliar animal to treat the encounter with caution. Do not go near the animal and keep children away.
The following precautionary steps should also be taken:
- Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
- Remove sources of water.
- Bring pets in at night and do not leave pet food outside.
- Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
- Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, etc.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
- Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
In addition, residents should contact RPPD at (908) 245-2300 if a coyote or unfamiliar animal is sighted and animal control will be notified.
Photographs and comparison sheet are not meant to be used to determine the animal encountered, it is used to simply demonstrate how one animal can be confused for another.
