Fears shooting ban will see fox population ‘increase dramatically’

The red fox population is set to explode if a ban on night-time shooting takes place, a meeting of Kerry County Council will hear today, when three separate motions against restrictions on lamping and shooting at night are on the agenda.

Foxes are a direct threat to lambs, according to the council motion, and their numbers are best controlled at night.

“The council will have to vigorously oppose any ban on night-time shooting. The fox population will increase dramatically, to the detriment of sheep farmers, who have enormous difficulty protecting young and new-born lambs,” said Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill.