“Warning – this information may be upsetting to read.
“He was limping through the streets of Lexington, with an illegal leg hold trap tightly gripping his front leg, when people walking by took notice. Fate would have it that a police officer would be very close by. One of the by passers alerted the police officer and, from that moment forward, a village would work together to right the wrong that one cruel human being had set in motion.
Multiple Lexington police offers would combine efforts to corner this young fox into a nearby garage. The owners of the garage would allow the police officers to do anything with their garage and the items in it, so long as it helped the creature in need.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.
Police officers would use items in the garage to barricade the exits. They would then contact Environmental Police Officer, Dewayne Taylor. While in route to rescue the fox, Officer Taylor contacted us.
Once on scene, our team, Officer Taylor, Lexington Police and the caring owners of the home, would all work together to safely contain the fox.
With it being late on Saturday afternoon, this fox was going to need even more kindness. All the veterinary clinics we worked with were closed. He would need to be sedated so we could clean his wounds, he would need X-rays, a vet exam and strong pain medication to alleviate the excruciating pain in his foot.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.
Dr. Vasilakis from Linwood Animal Hospital would offer to suit up on her day off and open the clinic so the fox could get the care he needed.
Radiographs would reveal that, shockingly, no bones were broken. That was a relief, but we still have concerns about the leg. The blood supply sometimes does not return to the foot in these cases. For now, our team is working diligently to do all we can to save his foot. With his pain managed, he is comfortable, warm and has a full belly.
I know this sounds like a horrible and sad story. No one can deny the sad aspect to it. This animal has suffered due to the cruelty and illegal actions of another human being.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.
In processing the events of yesterday, would you judge me if I told you that I felt good at the end of the day?
You see, in my mind, there will always be cruel people out there. There will always be those who lack empathy. One quick and cruel act can cause a life time of pain. I have seen it many times.
One person did an an awful thing and then MANY people rallied to right that wrong. Many good, caring people jumped at the chance to help this creature, with each doing all they could with what they had to save his life.
The home owners offering their garage and belongings.
The police officers working together to contain him there.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.
The dedicated environmental police officer who left our rescue with the rusty trap in hand, determined to do all he can to find the person who did this.
Dr Vasilakis, who opened her clinic on her day off to make sure this fox received medical treatment. And our team members for all the treatment they continue to give.
My heart goes out to this fox. He is only about 6 months old. He didn’t deserve this. He has suffered so much through this terrible ordeal and we are going to do everything possible to save his foot.
Though I am disgusted at what one human being did, my heart is full knowing just how many people would band together, in an instant, to relieve the suffering that another had caused. No one asked for anything in return. The only compensation needed was to know this animal was getting the care he needed.
There are still good, caring people out there. They come out of the woodwork when a wrong has been done. I saw so many of them yesterday and I am so grateful to know people like that are out there. We need them. The animals need them. The world needs them. ❤️🙏❤️”-Newhouse Wildlife Rescue.
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UPDATE: “There were two foxes. Both found near the Lexington/Arlington line. Both with illegal leg hold traps attached to them. We suspect these traps likely came from the same perpetrator, since they were so close to each other. Despite much effort, the one seen in Arlington was not able to be caught.
From what we understand from speaking with police yesterday, this fox ended up removing its own foot to set itself free. We do not know the current status of that fox. We feel so badly for this poor creature and what it has had to endure.
The fox we rescued yesterday was recently trapped – within the last day or two, based on his wounds.
***If anyone has any information that can help environmental police catch the person who is illegally setting these traps, please let them know. Please help us to stop the person who is doing this to these animals. Please press the word.”-Newhouse Wildlife Rescue.
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“On Saturday the Arlington Police Department assisted the Lexington and Environmental Police Departments on capturing an injured fox. Arlington Animal Control Officer Wilson also caught a sick fox today.
Both foxes were transported to a local wildlife rescue for treatment and we are hoping for a speedy recovery.”-Arlington, Massachusetts Animal Control.

Arlington, Massachusetts Animal Control photo.

Arlington, Massachusetts Animal Control photo.