Fox Killer Shot One, Trapped Others

Information about what was first thought to be 11 skinned puppies that were found Friday in Quarry Park continues to trickle down from official sources. 

DNA samples taken from what are now presumed to be young foxes have been sent out to be analyzed, said Christine Wiggins, Lehigh County Humane Officer.

It will take weeks for the results to be returned. Only then will the animals' species be confirmed.

Somebody used a shotgun to kill one of the foxes, Wiggins said, and the others look to have been trapped.

Since they are thought to have been wild animals, the case has been turned over to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, she said.

PGC Officer Kevin Halbfoerster said he is still collecting information on the case. He has the Humane Society's information but is still waiting to hear from state police at Fogelsville because they have details from the scene.

If the foxes were taken legally -- that is, if the person who killed them had a license, since they are in season -- there is no penalty for killing or skinning them. And the price of fox pelts has gone up, he said.

If they were taken illegally -- and the person is found -- there will be consequences, he said, and in either case there will be a "dumping fee" for the animals' inappropriate disposal.