Foxes blamed after more than 40 electric cars have brakes damaged in night-time attacks
Foxes may be responsible for damaging dozens of cars in a Dublin neighbourhood.
According to Irish national news broadcaster RTE, around 40 electric vehicles were damaged in the south of the city, with bills running into tens of thousands of euros.
Wildlife experts who spoke to the broadcaster suggested that wildlife such as foxes may have been the cause of the incident.
The damage is so costly that some residents have fenced their cars to protect them.
The problems started in August when Stillorgan housing resident Garret O’Connor found he couldn’t start his car in the morning.
“I turned my ignition on and got warning lights and sensor lights,” he told RTE. “I took my car to the mechanic, and he said that these cables under your car were broken.
“And it turned out other neighbors were having the same problem, my next-door neighbor and beyond. I initially suspected vandalism.”
It was later revealed that up to 40 cars had been damaged locally, at an estimated cost of €40,000.
To help prevent damage, South Dublin residents have resorted to wrapping their cars in wire fencing and fencing.
Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin, told RTE: “Foxes and rodents, maybe pine swallows. They’re attracted to the heat. They’re attracted to anything they can chew, just like your dog would chew your sofa at home.”
“There are new parts in cars, especially new cars, made from organic materials that are more attractive to rodents and eat from them.
“The way to protect your car against this is to invest in some shroud covers, chew-proof shroud covers for all those cables and tubes, and that will stop animals from chewing on your new engine.”
