Daniel Pabst (47) with dog Paco and Sabine H. (54) with dog Olga: Both were victims of a fox attack. Photo: Peter Mueller
By Sara Orlos Fernandes
Foxes have been up to mischief around Hohenzollernplatz for months. Several dogs and residents have already been bitten, and a four-legged friend has died as a result. Dog owners live in fear every day.
Daniel Pabst (47) no longer goes for a walk with his Chihuahua bitch Emma (3) in the dark. “The fox could be lurking anywhere. He’s bitten my heels before,” he says.
This fox is regularly seen in the neighborhood around Hohenzollernplatz Photo: Private
Sabine H. (54) was bitten on her arm by a fox attack a few weeks ago. “He had my dog Olga in his mouth. I ripped them free,” she says. After the bite, the Chihuahua could not walk and needed spinal surgery. A few blocks away, an attack on a Pomeranian ended fatally.
Sabine H. (54) suffered a bite injury. She wanted to save her dog Olga from the fox and became a victim herself. Photo: Private
You can see the foxes every day in the neighborhood around Hohenzollernplatz. Since the attacks have increased, many dog owners here live in fear. You have contacted NABU several times, but nothing has happened so far. Now they are demanding that the district act.
Dog Olga (5) was so badly injured by a fox that she had to have an operation Photo: Private
“The fact that dogs are bitten by foxes is not an isolated case in Berlin,” says wildlife officer for the Environment Senate Derk Ehlert (55). Especially between February and June there would be attacks because of the young animals. A bite alone is not enough for a kill. Relocating the wild animals is also not possible.
This caused outrage locally. “Children often walk their dogs here. Does something bad have to happen first for something to happen?” asks local resident Marco M. (53).