London (17th December, 2020) – In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization, is urging members of the public to come forward in the hunt for London’s crossbow fox killer. The charity has added to the reward fund which now stands at £3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who brutally and illegally shot three foxes with a crossbow last month. 

The Metropolitan Police were contacted on Thursday 5th November, after a member of the public spotted a fox with an arrow sticking out of their back in Greenwich. The Fox Project was called to assist, but despite veterinary intervention, the fox did not survive. Another who had been shot with an arrow had already been found dead in the area, while a third was seen with an arrow in their body.

A photo showing an arrow laid across one of the fox’s dead bodies was released by the police. The black bolt bears the words ‘TenPoint pro elite carbon crossbow arrow.’

“This is an absolutely heartbreaking case of cruelty inflicted on innocent wild animals who are simply trying to exist in an increasingly developed landscape. The brutality of individuals who perpetrate such violence on innocent animals is frightening. We hope this reward helps bring the perpetrators of these ghastly crimes to justice, and sends a message that the public will not tolerate such egregious and deliberately cruel treatment of animals,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign director. “If you think you may have any information at all about these crimes, please contact the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit right away.” 

Under section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to use a crossbow to kill or take wildlife. In Defense of Animals is now adding £1,000 to a reward of £2,000 being offered by the Fox Project for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these heinous crimes. 

Anyone who has information which can assist the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit is asked to call 020 7230 8898 or email Wildlife-SCD6@met.police.uk quoting CAD 4617/06Nov.

Contact: Communications Director, Fleur Dawes, fleur@idausa.org, +1 (415) 879-6879 

Images: https://bit.ly/LondonFoxes

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 37-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, campaigns, and its hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/WildAnimals

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