Carolina Beach neighborhood heartbroken after family of foxes are euthanized

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A group of neighbors in Carolina Beach say they’re devastated after a family of foxes that was living in the area was euthanized. 

It happened at the Waterfronte Villas and Yacht Club. Neighbors say after a complaint was filed, the HOA notified North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission about a family of foxes living in the neighborhood. 

A damage control agent contracted under NC Wildlife was called out, but because of state law, the foxes couldn’t be relocated and had to be euthanized. 

Long-time resident Dennis Kubasko says that news was difficult to hear. 

“That was really I think upsetting to a lot of us who have watched them grow up. They have been a part of our community for at least 2 or 3 years now,” he said. 

Others like Valorie Fowler say development is pushing wildlife into neighborhoods. 

“The clear cutting and the building is out of control and the animals are paying the price. It’s not fair. Something has to be done,” Fowler said. 

WWAY reached out to Jimmy English, the Damage Control Agent who was called out. 

He told us the animals had to be euthanized because foxes can sometimes carry rabies without having any symptoms. 

“So, if you were to catch a fox, and he had rabies, and you couldn’t tell it, and carry him in another county and turn him loose, you have just strung rabies from one county to the next.” English explained. 

Kubasko says he and other neighbors hope to use the experience to educate others about how to co-exist with wildlife. 

To that end, community members created the Pleasure Island Wildlife Association. 

“So the idea is to try to use that information to continue to educate folks about how to live safely and cohabitate; with not just fox, but with other critters and organisms as well.” 

To join the Pleasure Island Wildlife Association, you can visit the group’s Facebook page.