Ocean City Wants Residents to Stop Feeding the Foxes

Just eat the donuts because feeding the foxes is probably illegal.

It’s a simple message Ocean City wants to deliver to its residents. Councilman Michael DeVlieger raised the possibility of introducing an ordinance to ban feeding the foxes on the boardwalk after neighbors voiced concerns over the issue that has become a problem recently.

At Thursday night’s council meeting, Ocean City Business Administrator Jim Mallon said he believes that is covered under the wildlife ordinance, and that the City would look into posting signs reminding people not to feed the animals.

The discussion arose following the proliferation of baby foxes near Brown’s Restaurant, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

Owner Jim Brown believes customers are feeding his homemade donuts to the foxes, and has asked people to stop snapping towels at the foxes.

“Baby foxes grow up to be big foxes,” DeVlieger said. “And then we might have a problem.”

Fox visits are not confined to the Ocean City Boardwalk. They have also been spotted in Upper Township, Lower Township, the Wildwoods, West Cape May, Woodbine, Estell Manor and Buena, according to the report.

While foxes are not aggressive toward humans, the New Jersey Audubon Society says they can still carry rabies and should be viewed from a distance, according to nj.com.