A three-month-old baby sustained injuries after a fox entered a family home in Watford and attacked the infant. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, left the baby, Josephine, with four puncture wounds to her head. Her mother, Carly Clarkson, 37, discovered the horrifying scene when she awoke to find her daughter covered in blood.
Fox Enters Home and Attacks Infant
The unsettling event unfolded when Ms. Clarkson dozed off while feeding her newborn daughter, Josephine. She was reportedly awakened by the sensation of a fox sniffing her face. Upon opening her eyes, she saw blood around her baby, who was lying beside her. A swift reaction saw Ms. Clarkson snatch up Josephine and chase the fox towards the top of the stairs. She then checked on her older daughter, aged one, to ensure she was unharmed.
CCTV footage from the family’s back garden captured the wild animal creeping around the premises before it gained entry into the Hertfordshire home. It is believed the fox entered through the back door, which had been left open. Ms. Clarkson described the moment as “absolutely horrifying,” recounting the sight of her child’s blood next to her upon waking.
The four puncture wounds on Josephine’s head were described by her mother as resembling the marks left by a dog biting a football. Following the attack, Ms. Clarkson immediately took Josephine to Watford General Hospital. Medical professionals confirmed that there were no fractures to the baby’s skull and no immediate concerns regarding her brain. Ms. Clarkson speculated that the outcome could have been far worse, suggesting that had the baby been positioned differently, the wounds might have been to her face or a major artery.
Mother’s Distress and Safety Concerns
The incident has left Ms. Clarkson feeling deeply unsettled and fearful for her children’s safety. She expressed a sense of violation, stating, “I feel absolutely violated, I don’t feel safe in my home with two young children.” She believes that the bold behavior of foxes in the area, potentially due to being fed or becoming overly accustomed to human presence, is a significant issue.
Adding to the distress, as Ms. Clarkson and her husband prepared to take Josephine to the hospital, they encountered a fox near their front door, which they suspect may have been the same animal, attempting to gain entry. This encounter further heightened their sense of unease and vulnerability.
Official Response and Expert Advice
The family reported the incident to Watford Borough Council. While options for private intervention were explored, the council reportedly offered deterrent pellets costing around £300. Ms. Clarkson has also sought assistance from The Fox Project, an organization dedicated to the welfare of foxes.
Trevor Williams, founder of The Fox Project, characterized such incidents as extremely rare, noting that a similar event had not been recorded in over a decade. He suggested that the animal involved was likely a young cub, as experienced adult foxes typically avoid human contact and vulnerable situations. Mr. Williams explained that the current time of year sees the annual dispersal of fox families, with cubs around four and a half months old beginning to explore independently.
“For most, their natural instincts kick in quickly, and they will avoid immediate human proximity,” Mr. Williams stated. “But there will always be a few who find themselves wandering through open doors into homes or businesses as they investigate unfamiliar territory.” He elaborated that if undisturbed, a young fox’s curiosity might lead it to investigate its surroundings, potentially testing its teeth on soft surfaces, such as a baby’s skin.
Preventative Measures Recommended
While acknowledging the alarming nature of the event for the baby’s mother, Mr. Williams reiterated the rarity of such occurrences, with the last comparable incident dating back to approximately 2010-2012. He offered practical advice for residents concerned about foxes in their vicinity.
“Obviously, taking care to keep doors closed, despite the extreme weather, is a basic precaution,” he advised. “But anyone concerned about foxes regularly sharing their environment can reduce activity and discourage them very easily by use of safe, non-toxic mammal repellents easily acquired from garden centres and hardware stores.”
Conclusion: A Rare but Disturbing Encounter
The attack on baby Josephine by a fox entering her home highlights a rare but disturbing intersection between urban wildlife and domestic spaces. While medical evaluations confirmed no serious long-term physical damage to the infant, the psychological impact on the family is significant. The incident underscores the importance of securing homes against wildlife, even in urban environments, and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals, particularly when young and exploring new territories. Expert advice emphasizes simple preventative measures, such as keeping doors closed and utilizing non-toxic repellents, to minimize the risk of such encounters.
