Hackney council scraps fox cull after plan is condemned by RSPCA

A london council has u-turned on culling foxes within hours of announcing the plan.

Hackney Council's decision to set traps in the deer enclosure of Stoke Newington's Clissold Park was widely condemned by animal rights campaigners, who branded the cull "pointless".

Yesterday, the council said the move was taken to eradicate what they said was a "severe health risk" to deer and humans and that the cull would be limited to four or five foxes.

However, just hours later the council tweeted: "In light of recent concern, we have removed fox traps from Clissold Pk deer enclosure till further notice."

A further update is expected later today.

Among those angry at the council's actions were the RSPCA who urged for the plans to be reconsidered.

A spokeswoman said: “Culling these animals is unlikely to accomplish anything as the territory will then be left vacant and it is likely that another group will move in instead.”

“If the council are concerned about the number of foxes in the area we would suggest they use more humane, non-lethal deterrent methods to discourage these animals in the area.”