Fox Enters Family Home and Bites Three-Month-Old Baby During Night-Time Attack
A family in Hertfordshire has described the terrifying moment a fox entered their home during the night and attacked a three-month-old baby as she slept beside her mother.
Carly Clarkson, 37, said she had fallen asleep while feeding her daughter Josephine. She was suddenly awakened when she felt an animal near her face. At first, she did not understand what was happening, but quickly noticed blood around her baby.
The mother then realised that Josephine had suffered several puncture wounds to her head.
The frightening incident happened at the family home in Watford on August 20. Carly said the back door had been left open, allowing the fox to enter the property.
Mother woke to find blood beside her baby
Carly described the moment as one of the most frightening experiences of her life. After waking and discovering the fox nearby, she immediately picked up Josephine and tried to drive the animal out of the house.
She said the baby had four visible puncture wounds on her head. Carly also described the injuries as looking similar to marks that might be left after a dog bite.
The mother rushed to protect her baby and then checked on her other young daughter, who was sleeping in another room.
Josephine was later taken to Watford General Hospital at approximately 9.45pm. Medical staff reportedly found that the baby had not suffered a skull fracture or brain injury.
She did, however, require medical treatment including antibiotics and tetanus injections.
For Carly, the fact that her daughter escaped more serious harm offered some relief, but the incident has left the family deeply shaken.
Family believes the fox may have tried to pull the baby away
Carly said she believes the fox may have been attempting to move Josephine.
She also suggested that the position in which she and her baby had fallen asleep could have prevented more serious injuries.
The family later saw another fox near their front door as they were leaving for hospital. Carly said the animal appeared to approach the property and seemed interested in entering.
Security camera footage from the garden also appeared to show a fox moving around the property shortly before the incident.
The experience has changed how Carly feels about her home. She said she is now nervous about allowing her children to use the garden and is reluctant to leave doors open.
The mother has also raised concerns about the behaviour of foxes in the local area, suggesting that some may have become increasingly comfortable around people.
Expert believes a young fox may have been responsible
The family contacted Watford Borough Council and sought additional help privately after the attack. They also contacted The Fox Project, an organisation that works with foxes.
Trevor Williams, founder of The Fox Project, said he believed the animal involved was likely to have been a young fox.
According to Williams, incidents of this nature are extremely unusual. He said this was the first case of its kind that he had encountered in more than ten years.
His explanation is linked to the time of year. Fox cubs born earlier in the year begin to leave their family groups and explore their surroundings as they become more independent.
During this period, young foxes can sometimes wander into unfamiliar locations while investigating their environment.
Williams said experienced adult foxes generally avoid getting too close to people because they recognise humans as a potential danger. Young animals, however, may be less cautious.
That does not mean fox attacks on people are common. The incident involving Josephine appears to be highly unusual.
How residents can reduce the chance of foxes entering homes
Experts generally advise householders not to encourage foxes to associate homes with food.
Leaving food outside, feeding wildlife directly or allowing rubbish to remain accessible can make gardens more attractive to foxes and other animals.
Keeping doors and windows closed when they are not being actively used can also reduce the opportunity for an animal to enter.
Williams recommended using non-toxic deterrents where appropriate and making sure that potential access points are secured.
For families with very young children, basic precautions can be particularly important. Doors leading to gardens should be properly closed, and children should not be left unsupervised around wildlife.
If a fox appears unusually confident around people, residents should avoid approaching or attempting to handle it. Local authorities, animal welfare organisations or wildlife specialists can provide advice where necessary.
A frightening reminder about urban wildlife
Foxes are familiar sights in many parts of Britain, including towns and cities. Their ability to adapt to urban environments means they can live close to people without necessarily causing problems.
Most encounters are uneventful, and foxes normally avoid direct contact with humans.
The Watford incident nevertheless demonstrates why homeowners should take sensible precautions, particularly when doors are left open overnight.
For Carly and her family, the event has been a deeply unsettling experience. While Josephine was fortunate not to suffer a serious head injury, the family is now much more conscious of the wildlife around their home.
Carly has also expressed concern that another family could experience something similar if an unusually confident young fox continues to roam the neighbourhood.
The case remains an unusual example of how wildlife can sometimes enter residential properties unexpectedly. It also highlights the importance of keeping potential entry points secured and avoiding behaviour that could encourage wild animals to become accustomed to human homes.
For now, the family is concentrating on Josephine's recovery and making their home feel safe again.
Source
Metro August 24, 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes. Details may change as further information becomes available. Readers should consult the relevant local authorities for the latest confirmed information.