Norwood Family Befriends Wild American Red Fox Family on Union Street-August 1, 1967

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The American red fox—a notoriously intelligent, cunning animal known for surviving by stalking birds, poultry, rabbits, mice, and frogs—has proven that even wild creatures appreciate a free meal. About three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph J. Menier purchased a home at 92 Union St. in Norwood, featuring a grassy backyard surrounded by picturesque woodland. It took very little time for the couple and their nine-year-old son, Eddie, to notice and befriend the wild rabbits inhabiting the area, establishing a daily ritual of throwing bread scraps and leftovers on their back lawn.

The dining routine took an unexpected turn last September when Mr. Menier installed floodlights in his backyard. Following a Saturday evening dinner of grilled hot dogs, four leftover rolls were placed on a paper plate on the lawn. Returning five minutes later, Mr. Menier discovered the rolls were completely gone, knowing rabbits could not consume such large portions so quickly. The following night, he set out four more rolls, turned on the floodlights, and watched from the kitchen window.

Within minutes, a creeping shadow emerged from the edge of the woodland. Mistaking it at first for a small dog, Mr. Menier was astonished to see a beautiful American red fox dart in, grab a roll, and streak back toward the woods. Over the next ten minutes, the fox repeated the process until all the rolls were spirited away. Abandoning rabbit-watching in favor of fox-watching, the family began leaving a nightly bread ration just as faithfully as they fed their pet dog, Penny.

The cunning visitor—dubbed “Freddie Fox“—soon expanded his family dining circle. About four weeks prior, the Menier family watched in amazement as Freddie arrived accompanied by Mama Fox and three baby kits, heading straight for the house without hesitation. During one food safari, an adventurous baby fox even climbed the back porch stairs, stood on its hind legs, and peered through the screen door before retreating.

While young Eddie Menier occasionally fought bedtime unless he had spotted the foxes, and was briefly heartbroken when they disappeared for a few days, the family of foxes soon returned. However, despite becoming semi-domesticated, the foxes maintained their legendary cunning: all photographic efforts failed because the animals instantly spotted reflections from camera lenses, chrome, and tripwires. With the Menier family recently upgrading the menu from bread to ham, Mr. Menier joked, Next, I suppose our foxes will be demanding candlelight with their evening repast.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger