Foxes should be recognised as families and not demonised as vermin, a resident claimed after sending us these remarkable pictures of a vixen with her cubs.

Deborah Mudway, who lives off Grand Drive, Raynes Park, took the pictures of the fox family from her back garden, which she says is used frequently by the animals.

Despite using her garden as a toilet and having devoured her daughter’s trampoline, Ms Mudway said the mother fox is “just another mother” who needs space to live.

She said: “I know round here we have had tales of foxes biting through brake cables and they have done damage to our garden, but at the end of the day they are a family.

“They are only trying to get on, really, and I can’t help feel for the mother when I see her looking after her children. I think of my own young children.”

Merton Council has consistently said it will not consider measures to exterminate urban foxes because it is “ineffective and cruel”.

Councillor Andrew Judge, cabinet member for environmental sustainability said earlier this year: “Foxes are attracted by food waste so to deter them, we advise people to ensure any rubbish waiting for collection is properly contained.

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