Gray foxes occur throughout most of the southern half of North America from southern Canada to northern Venezuela and Colombia. They do not occur in portions of the mountainous northwestern United States, the Great Plains and eastern Central America.

There are more than forty species of mammals that inhabit Everglades National Park. Some other furry friends you can expect to find in the Everglades include raccoons, opossums, foxes, wild hogs, coyotes, and black bears.

The gray fox is found throughout Florida, though it is much more abundant in the northern part of the state. Normally found in wooded areas, it prefers to live in more dense, inaccessible cover.

Florida is home to red and gray foxes, but the latter are much more common to Palm Beach County, state biologists said. The red fox population is sparse south of Lake Okeechobee and grows larger toward the north end of the state, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

Rabies and mange in foxes Foxes aren’t dangerous to humans, except when they are rabid, which is very rare. Although foxes sometimes succumb to rabies, the good news is that the fox strain of the disease has rarely if ever been transmitted to a human in this country.

It is not legal to kill foxes in Florida, but chasing them with dogs has been a long-standing tradition. At one time, there were about 50 fox and coyote pens from the Panhandle to Central Florida. Currently, however, because of the moratorium and decreasing demand, the state has only one permitted facility.

Foxes’ behavior Yes, gray foxes are adept climbers, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says. Hunting foxes by trapping or shooting is illegal in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Deadliest animals in Florida

• The Brown Recluse.
• The Southern Black Widow.
• Bull Shark.
• Cottonmouth Snake (Water Moccasin)
• American Alligator.
• Wild Boar.
• Florida Panther.

As mentioned above, under Florida law, any “nuisance” animal caught in a trap must either be humanely killed or released on the same contiguous property where it was caught. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates and manages the state’s native wildlife resources.

Raccoons are fur-bearing animals and therefore protected under state hunting laws; however, the law does allow you to trap bothersome wildlife on your property. While hunters are limited to seasons and the requirement of a license, homeowners can trap troublesome raccoons at any time.

Because of its climate, Florida is home to many different species of wildlife. At some point, most Floridians will come across some of the most popular neighborhood “critters,” including iguanas, raccoons, opossums and even coyotes. Keep in mind that in Florida, all wildlife is protected by anti-cruelty laws.

General requirements of the self-defense doctrine In general, a person can kill a dog without penalty if the dog is lethally attacking that person or another person, and there is no reasonable alternative to killing the dog. The law of self-defense permits aggression only for the purpose of meeting aggression.

If you are walking or running, stop and either turn sideways or slowly back away. Avoid eye contact with the dog; if you stare this will often be perceived by the dog as a threat. If the dog continues to snarl and snap at you, position your body side-on and fold your arms.

If a cat is attacked by a dog, no legal action can be taken against owners. Allowing their dogs to freely roam and attack is neglect and dangerous to the public. Over a year, many cats have been harmed and killed by these dogs that are out of control because they can not prosocute against the owners.

Most animal cruelty laws make it a crime to kill or injure animals “unnecessarily” or “without justification.” The most obvious justification is self-defense or defending another person from harm.

For instance, a California statute says that people have the right to kill any animals “known as dangerous to life, limb, or property” (Cal. Local animal control officers usually have the authority to pick up, impound, and even destroy dogs that are a threat because of past behavior.

Penal Code 597 PC is the main California law that defines the crime of animal abuse. This section makes it a crime for a person maliciously to kill, harm, maim, or torture an animal. The charge can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony and carries a sentence of up to 3 years in jail or prison.

Whenever police, animal control officers, or other government officials seize or kill a dog, they must respect the owners’ constitutional rights. State laws and local ordinances spell out when officers (and occasionally humane society agents) may take possession of dogs and put them in the pound or shelter.

In most places, the local animal control authority, a.k.a. “the dogcatcher”, will take away a pet only when it has been found unattended and unleashed walking around on the loose or because it has injured people or other animals.

Your Rights as a Dog Owner If the attacking dog is listed as “dangerous” and your dog has to be put down, the owner may be held responsible for the original amount you paid for your dog. If other owner violated your state’s leash laws, he or she may be held responsible for any veterinary costs.