Residents slam golf club over ‘inhumane’ fox shootings

A popular UK golf club has been labelled ‘inhumane’ by furious residents after it admitted ‘unauthorised’ fox shootings on its course.

As reported by the Metro, Enfield Golf Club, in North London, allowed a fox cull to take place across on the championship venue on Wednesday night.

Police told one resident, who heard gunshots from the course, that authorities had been ‘legally informed’ about the activity but that it could last until 2am on Thursday.

Matt Stone, one of the founders of Moonstone Rescue – an animal welfare service based in London and Hertfordshire – said Enfield ignored multiple offers to help any remaining stranded fox cubs in the aftermath of the cull.

“We were made aware of this very early on Thursday morning,” Stone told the paper. “Two offers to assist the fox cubs, one on Thursday and another on Friday, were made but have been ignored by the golf club.

“Sadly, the results of delayed help will mean further deaths.”

• Angel Cabrera breaks silence on Masters return

• Lydia Ko details surreal Augusta trip (and reveals her score)

Foxes are not protected for conservation purposes in England and, while fox hunting is banned, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 states they can be shot or caught in a trap and killed ‘humanely’.

Most cubs are born at this time of year and rely heavily on the vixens for at least their first six weeks.

Meanwhile, Feryal Clark, the Labour MP for Enfield North, branded Enfield’s conduct ‘unacceptable’ and ‘incredibly cruel’.

“I am deeply disturbed and appalled by the idea of fox culling on a golf course in my constituency,” Clark told the Metro.

“It is not only an awful act but, frankly, incredibly cruel. Foxes are a protected species in the UK, and it is unacceptable for anyone to think that killing them on our doorstep is in any way justifiable.

“Golf clubs cannot and should not be involved in culling foxes. We must ensure that our wildlife is protected, and I will be following this up with the golf club.”

The club has issued a statement in response to the backlash, however, apologising for its decision to allow the culling of foxes.

• Two people arrested over Trump Turnberry vandalism

• St Andrews Links in fresh bid to protect golf courses

“Enfield Golf Club unreservedly apologises to Enfield residents following a recent incident on the course concerning foxes,” the statement read.

“We can assure the community that this was an incredibly poor decision by internal management to allow an external group to conduct an unauthorised culling. This was not sanctioned by the Club Committee.

“The Club and its members are extremely disappointed that this happened and can guarantee it will never happen again.

“We are a club that supports the local community and provides an excellent place for all, we are saddened by these events and regret any distress this has caused in our local community.”

Animal rescue responders were permitted to search the course on Saturday afternoon but found no fox cubs.

Enfield, which previously described itself as ‘the friendliest golf course in North London’ on Instagram, has since made its social media account private, and deactivated its Facebook page.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.