In reply to Trevor Weeks’s Soapbox column (The Argus, February 14), I would take issue with some of his article. If culling foxes is not the answer, what is?

He says: “Nobody has been killed by a fox, as opposed to the many injuries to and several deaths ... each year from pet dogs. We don’t hear people calling for a cull of pets when these incidents happen.”

With due respect, a fox is a wild animal. Pets that are out of control are put down – that is why we have legislation.

The trouble is, as I have said in previous letters, some people feed them.

As was pointed out after a baby in London was attacked recently, it only takes one misguided person to feed them before foxes begin to lose their fear of humans.

Once they have, they will treat people as fair game so it is not surprising there are more incidents of foxes attacking vulnerable people.

In the same edition, Roy Hilliard writes a letter in which he mentions fox hunting as a solution.

I fear this is a bit of a red herring as that only controls foxes living in the countryside.

However, I agree that something ought to be done.

As a first step, people need to be educated about foxes.

Foxes take full advantage of our throwaway society – they make the most of half-eaten pizzas, for example.

Do people know that mange, which is a common disease in foxes, can spread to dogs?

I know of at least two dog owners who feed foxes, which is so irresponsible.

I do agree with Mr Weeks’s assertion that we ought to respect our wildlife, but that does not include feeding foxes.

These people are responsible for the increase in the fox population.

Peter Barnes, Worthing

The story about the fox who rushed through the front door of Fred Rossington’s home near Henfield, without being invited, brought a smile to my face (The Argus, February 13).

Fred said the fox was not frightened and appeared to be used to humans.

The Argus asked for opinions on how to prevent foxes entering homes.

I’m not an expert but I feel that if animal-lovers leave food in their gardens to feed foxes this could be part of the problem. There is a danger of children being bitten by the foxes.

I am sure others will come up with answers about the wily old fox.

Stanley Ledlie, Dorothy Road, Hove

It was lovely to read Adam Trimingham’s comment piece about foxes (The Argus, February 13).

I would hate to have these wonderful creatures culled.

I have lived in Hove for 33 years and during that time have had a large den at the bottom of the garden.

I have seen many families of foxes come and go. I’ve never had any problems with them.

Each night I put out a large bowl of food. At first, a little stray cat eats her fill, then the foxes have theirs.

It is a terrible thing for a child to be injured by a fox but I feel this might be because the fox is hungry.

Because of the way we contain our waste, there are not the same pickings for foxes.

If they are starving, they see a child as potential food.

If something like this happened to a child of mine, my first reaction would of course be to kill all foxes in sight.

But Adam Trimingham is right – there are a lot of other creatures which cause far more upsets and problems.

Out of the thousands of foxes in this country, how can a few problems like this be a culpable offence?

What about dogs? We hear of dog attacks all the time – will they be culled?

Seagulls can attack pets and people, too.

Where do we stop? Are all animals eventually going to disappear?

If everyone showed kindness to them, there wouldn’t be as many problems.

Show some humanity and compassion.

Just look at the human race – one human who kills does not mean we are all bad.

Judy Bury, Hove