Fox cull could go ahead after baby's finger is bitten off

Boris Johnson was today holding urgent talks with council leaders to discuss the “growing menace” of urban foxes after a baby was attacked.

The Mayor suggested all options, including a cull, be considered following the mauling of four-week-old Denny Dolan as he slept in his cot.

He underwent emergency surgery after his finger was ripped off by the animal. He also needed stitches to his cheek and treatment for injuries to his face and head, including a black eye where the animal had hit him against a door frame.

Today Mr Johnson was speaking to London council leaders to discuss plans for pest control following the latest attack.

Denny was recovering in Evelina Children’s Hospital where doctors re-attached his finger after a four-hour operation. Although the surgery was a success, there are fears he could lose the use of his hand. His parents, Paul Dolan and Hayley Cawley, posted a picture of their injured son on Facebook and wrote: “My poor boy.”

Denny’s aunt, Lorraine Murphy, told how the family “feared the worst” after the attack last Wednesday.

The 42-year-old from Bromley said it was believed the fox entered the home through a back door and had been trying to “drag the baby out of the house” when his terrified mother, Miss Cawley, 28, came across the scene.

She added: “Hayley kicked the fox and it ran away. The baby was covered in blood and his hand was badly damaged. The fox was shaking the baby by his hand in its teeth and hitting him off the door frame. There was blood everywhere. Hayley heard the baby’s screams and she came running into the room and fought the fox off the baby. It was Hayley’s actions which saved the child. She was there so quickly.”

The attack has again highlighted the danger posed by urban foxes and prompted calls for a cull. Mr Johnson will urge councils to look at all the evidence on the growth of the fox population and consider the options available.

He said: “We face a growing problem with our urban fox population. Personally I wouldn’t rule anything in or out but ultimately this is a matter on which the boroughs must take the lead. Pest control falls to them. Attacks like that on this little boy thankfully are rare but foxes are a growing menace. Borough leaders need to look carefully at the facts and work together to respond.”