Errant fox that wreaked havoc in Portsmouth laundrette The Laundry Room retrieved by RSPCA
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RSPCA officers lured the mischievous mammal into a cage this afternoon, and retrieved it.
Over the weekend, the canid ran rampant in The Laundry Room, in Kingston Road – chewing wires, ripping up seat upholstery and breaking mirrors.
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Hide AdOwner Tariq Danba said finding the fox is the first step in getting his business back to normal.
He told The News: ‘The RSPCA laid out a box, which had food in it.
‘I’m relieved that it’s finally been caught.’
The pest caused a social media stir over the weekend, with employees and residents catching glimpses of it inside the laundrette.
First reports of the errant animal came in on Friday, with Mr Danba only discovering the extent of the damage on Monday morning.
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Hide AdFlats above the business have a connected terrace garden, with a disused air vent nearby.
Mr Danba, 31, thinks it managed to sneak through it and get to the ceiling, where it broke through the roof tiles.
He added: ‘It’s very old, I don’t think it’s even in use any more.
‘It must have come through there.
‘We’ve given the fox food and water, and it is about to get released soon.’
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Hide AdThe owner said despite him and his employees hearing several noises since Friday, only one creature has been found.
Mr Danba found out from neighbours that the fox has three cubs, which have yet to be found.
He said the RSPCA are planning to unite them.
As for the premises itself, a lot of hard work still needs to be done.
Mr Danba has called in a cleaner, electrician, and decorator, to make the necessary repairs – hoping for things to settle down.
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Hide AdThe 31-year-old said: ‘Hopefully, we can try and get back on our feet this week.
‘Luckily, there was not any major damage to the machines.
‘We can still trade now, even though the wallpapers and vinyl signs have been ripped and scratched up.
‘Thankfully, that is something that can easily be replaced.
‘The customers have been very understanding about it, and hopefully, things will get back to normal.’