At neighbor’s request, board adds stipulations to approval
By Bethe Croy
Staff Writer
Something didn’t smell right at the Twin Lakes Village Board’s special meeting on June 4 – and that’s no metaphor.
The board approved a local man’s request to harbor a domesticated fox at his residence in their meeting May 18, but the details have carried over into a new conversation.
Rita Meyer, neighbor of Richard Chapman, expressed concern at the June 4 meeting over the potential effects the fox will have on her own property.
“To have a den that close next to our property would really be a nuisance,” Meyer said at the meeting.
Some of her biggest concerns were the potential aggressiveness of the fox once it gets older, as well as the potential odor.
To illustrate the second point, she brought in a box with a blanket inside from an area facility that raises foxes.
The potent smell was similar to that of a skunk. Meyer said this is because foxes spray to mark their territory.
Since her property is adjacent and they do not use air conditioning in the summer, she said, she is concerned the odor would affect her and her family when they are there.
In addition, she is concerned the fox would become aggressive around 10 months old, she said.
“Just because it’s born in captivity doesn’t make it domestic,” Meyer said.
Chapman had said previously that the fox is going to be raised around humans to ensure it will be domesticated and friendly.
Meyer also said she observed some issues with the rules the board had given Chapman previously, including the height of the enclosure, the material used, having a top for it and the location of the enclosure on Chapman’s property.
“I was not consulted and I never had a say,” Meyer said. “I’m really opposed to having a fox den adjacent to my property.”
Village President Howard Skinner had Chapman on the phone during the meeting and requested if Chapman would move the den further away from Meyer’s property, to which Chapman agreed.
He will move the pen toward Indian Point, he said.
Meyer said she still had concerns about the fox and requested it be kept on a leash so it would not approach her or her grandchildren when they come to visit.
“Let’s not make this too difficult,” Skinner said.
Skinner requested Chapman keep the fox on a leash.
Chapman agreed and also said he will have the fox litter box-trained and will maintain the pen to eliminate odor.
Village Administrator Jennifer Frederick said the son of one of the village employees has a friend who owns a fox from the same facility Chapman plans to obtain his, and reports no issues with aggression or odor.
Chapman previously received approval to keep the fox at 614 Indian Point Road, which happens to be his father’s address, and he built an enclosure for it in the yard.
When police visited Chapman to ensure the rules were being followed, officers discovered the enclosure was also partially on the property next door, 1111 Rosebud Avenue, which is actually Chapman’s residence.
Furthermore, it was Chapman’s intention to have the fox indoors at the Rosebud address, which is another reason why the board needed to extend approval for that address in addition to the Indian Point Road address.
The Village Board approved the motion to extend the authorization of the fox to the Rosebud address, along with the provided stipulations.
Chapman will have a month to move the fox pen and ensure all the rules set by the board are in order.