By community correspondent Patrick Thomas.

Foxes provoke varying attitudes among local residents. Within those keen to discourage the fox population, simple deterrents seem to have given way to reckless poisoning.

For many pet owners, a trip to the local vet is already a worrying experience, both emotionally, and at this time of economic worry, financially.

However, when these visits are provoked by a pet ingesting poisoned bread, intended for foxes, but recklessly spread over open parkland, seemingly without consideration of animal or human welfare alike, these visits become a great deal more stressful, and in some fatal cases heartbreaking.

This is the current situation for many of the innocent users of Nonsuch Park, who enjoy it for the intended purposes of recreation, and an appreciative enjoyment of nature and local wildlife. Individuals have been sighted spreading food dosed with poisonous substances across Nonsuch, in order to prevent an encroachment of “vermin” on their private gardens. However well-meaning these people may be, they seem to be reckless as to the consequences of their actions, which was highlighted by Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam who stated that.

"Foxes provoke strong emotions amongst my constituent. But there can be no justification for placing poison in Nonsuch Park.”

Mr Burstow also said that "It is dangerous and irresponsible to play fast and loose with poison. It put the lives of dogs and local wildlife at risk."

It has been stated by research conducted by Dr Stephen Harris of Bristol University that a more effective way of controlling the fox population, is to actually leave the population to manage itself, and discourage those who do leave food for them from doing so. It is in the behaviour of a vixen to only come on heat when there is a low density of foxes, therefore by attempting to poison them, it is increasing the reproductive habits of the fox population. Additionally, feeding them encourages an increase in diseases such as mange as foxes come into more regular contact with each other on account of high numbers around a feeding site. Therefore, by not feeding them, they will be forced to extend their feeding territories, and numbers will regulate themselves.

A local veterinary surgery Frean and Smyth, have been informed and are working alongside local authorities to help police these sort of actions. However it is possibly down to members of the public to exercise discretion and care in order to help preserve Nonsuch as a safe, local beauty spot.