Fox Running Loose By Secaucus CVS Monday Morning

SECAUCUS, NJ — There were indeed reports of a fox running through Secaucus Monday morning, however the director of the town's animal shelter emphasized to residents there is little authorities can do, and that this area is a natural home to foxes.

"We did get reports of the fox around CVS," said Christine Conte, the director of Secaucus Animal Control and who also oversees the town animal shelter. "Our officers went there and it had gone. However, we do not trap or relocate wild animals."

The fox was not acting aggressively and was probably simply looking for food, she said. She speculated it may live in Buchmuller Park and that's where it came from.

"Foxes are native to this area," said Conte. "We have four or five that hang out by the animal shelter every summer. This is their home."

She said if the fox had been aggressive, then maybe police would have gotten involved, or the state Division of Fish & Wildlife would have responded, but she doubts they would have responded for a call of a mere fox.

After all, Fish & Wildlife refused to tranquilize and remove a black bear that was roaming through North Arlington this past October. This is after it climbed on top of a roof in Harrison. The young adult black bear climbed a tree on a densely-packed residential street in North Arlington, and took a nap there for hours. Terrified residents called North Arlington Police, who called NJ Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Fish & Wildlife officials responded, observed the bear and declined to tranquilize it and relocate it. Patch was on the scene; residents watched as Fish & Wildlife employees drove away. State protocol is that wild animals — if they do not pose an immediate threat — should be left alone in New Jersey. Related: Hudson County Bear Still Roaming; State Declines To Tranquilize (Oct. 11, 2020)

"Just leave the fox alone," said Conte. "It is a wild animal."

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