The club apologised on its social media after being branded “wicked” and “evil” for the culling

Enfield Golf Club foxes (credit Jeremy Hynes via Unsplash) — Enfield Golf Club and (inset, credit Jeremy Hynes via Unsplash) a fox with its cub

Enfield Golf Club has apologised after it was widely criticised for killing a number of foxes last week.

Several residents have contacted the Dispatch in recent days to express their alarm after hearing gunshots in the night and learning that they were linked to the culling of foxes on the golf course in Old Park Road.

In a social media post the club’s management admitted that the incident had taken place and apologised but also created confusion over who was to blame, claiming that the culling had not been authorised by the club’s committee.

It’s also unclear if any laws have been broken as foxes can be killed under the law using specific methods. Legal guidance issued by the government states that landowners can “shoot free [not trapped] foxes using a suitable firearm and ammunition” but that “you should not use firearms in urban areas”.

However, local residents responding on social media said that the decision to kill foxes during the mating season, when many are likely to have cubs, was “wicked” and “evil”.

Alerting the Dispatch to the culling, Vicki Tsamados also questioned how, according to the club, its management committee could have been unaware of what was happening. She said: “I find it absolutely astonishing that the use of fire arms on the golf club site was not something that committee members would have been required to authorise.

“While I understand that there may be some circumstances where foxes may have to be culled (e.g. to protect farm animals) I fail to understand why the decision was made that this would be necessary at the golf club as the foxes pose no risk to club users.”

Vicki added that, in her view, it did count as a breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 due to the “unnecessary suffering” caused to the foxes and any cubs they may have.

Enfield Golf Club was approached for comment by the Dispatch today (Monday 31st) but failed to respond.

The initial post apologising for the fox culling is not currently visible as the club has temporarily taken down its social media pages but Metro reported on Saturday (29th) that the club had said: “Enfield Golf Club unreservedly apologises to Enfield residents following a recent incident on the course concerning foxes.

“We can assure the community that this was an incredibly poor decision by internal management to allow an external group to conduct an unauthorised culling. This was not sanctioned by the club committee.

“The club and its members are extremely disappointed that this happened and can guarantee it will never happen again.

“We are a club that supports the local community and provides an excellent place for all, we are saddened by these events and regret any distress this has caused in our local community.”

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