A FOX cub had to be cut free after getting her head stuck in a bait box at a Co-op store in Bradford.

The RSPCA is warning companies to monitor their pest control methods following the incident.

The curious young fox bit off more than she could chew as her head was left stuck in the box, which was attached to a fence in a rear delivery area at the store on High Park Drive, Heaton. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The stuck fox cub The stuck fox cub

The RSPCA was contacted and Inspector John Gibson used a cutting tool to release the stricken animal last week.

After ensuring she was not harmed, the inspector released her back into the wild nearby and caught the heart-warming moment on video.

The incident comes as the charity launches its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to raise funds to help its rescue teams out on the frontline.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Bait boxes are designed to attract unwanted rats and mice, but occasionally, non-target species will be attracted.

“The RSPCA says that the use of such boxes should follow good guidance principles, in that they should only be left out as part of a targeted campaign, and removed when that campaign is completed. If the boxes are used to deploy kill traps then these should be checked twice a day."

Insp Gibson said: “Pest control companies do set up these boxes to prevent non-target species from getting stuck and they are within the law. But it’s difficult to completely prevent other animals from accessing the box, and this young fox was small enough to be able to push her head inside.

“This shows why it is important that these types of boxes are regularly monitored.

“Fortunately, the staff were taking a delivery around the back of the store and saw her body sticking out of the box.

“I tried using some washing up liquid at first to prise her out, but she had a little bit of bruising around her cheek, so it was best to use a cutting tool, with her head protected, to get her free.

“She was clearly shocked, which is why it was best to release her where she was found and where there was a “thoroughfare” that would attract wildlife. She ran off down it and obviously knew where she was going. 

“The fox was very lucky as she hadn’t gone far inside the box and the break back trap had already been triggered.”

The RSPCA encourages firms and householders to use human deterrents when tackling rats and mice to avoid harming non-target animals.

A Co-op spokesperson said: ‘Our High Park Drive store team called the RSPCA last Wednesday, when they were concerned about a small fox which, that morning, had got itself stuck in the rodent bait box, that is positioned in the outside lorry delivery area behind the store.

"This has never happened before and we are pleased the RSPCA were able to release the unharmed fox and let it free.

"As a business, we use a pest control company to help ensure the external areas of our stores are maintained correctly and any pest control that is needed is correctly implemented with ongoing monitoring and management."

If you find an animal trapped in a bait box then contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 4999.

The Co-op has been contacted for comment.