The site of countless rat poison bait boxes prompted this thought:

What is the difference between a rat and a fox?

Both brown furry, four legged mammals with tails. Long term immigration status naturalised species and neither in danger of extinction any time soon. Undesireable habits; wanton destruction, transmission of infection and dangerous to small humans.

So why is it that we throw tonnes of poision at one and go all soft and misty eyed when we see the other?

Is it that the people of this great country are, like the admirers of the John Lewis christmas advert, drowning in sentimentality?

If it is OK to persecute ratty (at the Council's expenses) please, please, please why can't we do the same for foxes?