Fox attack twins: 'We've never had a pet in this house'

It's almost a month since 9-month-old twins, Isabella and Lola, were attacked by a fox in their east London home. Parents, Pauline and Nick Koupparis have decided it's time to speak out about the horrific incident and put rumours to rest.

The Fox Attack Twins airs on BBC One tonight at 7pm. In it, the parents reveal that Isabella could lose an eye, both girls are now recovering well at home, but are likely to be scarred for life.

'Obviously, Lola came home first and it was incredible,' said Mrs Koupparis.

'But at the same time I was thinking, well I just want them both and I was sort of thinking to myself what would I do if there was only one twin that came home and how could I ever deal with that as a mother.'

Recounting the incident, Pauline Koupparis spoke of how she heard screams from an upstairs bedroom where her twin girls were sleeping and entered to find the babies covered in blood and a fox in the bedroom.

'I sort of lunged at it and it didn't even move. And I was just screaming and the girls were crying and Nick lunged a few times and the fox was sort of moving a foot at a time.'

Negative publicity

The Koupparises also talked about the backlash they've faced since the attack with some animal rights and wildlife experts questioning their story.

The family had decided to speak to Panorama to clear up some issues after social networking pages published rumours that a family pet was responsible for the attack and not a fox.

'We had a police guard on the front door 24/7 for about three or four days and a panic alarm installed in the house because there were lots of things on websites.'

Nick and Pauline stress that they have 'never had a pet in this house'.

Another fox attack?

Just two weeks after the attack on 9-month-old twins Isabella and Lola, it was reported that a 3-year-old boy was bitten by a fox in his school playground.

It is thought that he saw the fox hiding under a temporary building and tried to stroke its tail when the fox turned and bit him.

The boy was treated at hospital and has now been released.

Trevor Weeks from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service said: 'The fox did not attack the child - it was defending itself. There is a significant difference.

'Any wild animal is going to turn round and bite if you grab its tail.'

Boris Johnson calls for a cull

In response to the attack on the Koupparis twins, London Mayor Boris Johnson backed up calls to cull the foxes, saying: 'It's right that boroughs should focus on their duties for pest control, because, as romantic and cuddly as a fox is, it is also a pest.'

The local council in Hackney, where the Koupparis family live, say their fox problem isn't worse than anywhere else, but they have issued leaflets advising people to keep cats indoors and not leave pet food outside.

However, neighbours of the Koupparis family in East London say there is a big problem with foxes becoming more brazen in the area.

The twins' mum, Pauline, told The Sun soon after the attack that she will channel all her energy into getting someone to act on the urban fox problem.

Pauline said: 'I could not live with myself if this happened to another family.'

Do you think a fox cull is necessary? Do you have a problem with foxes in your area?
Leave a comment at the bottom of the page or tell us on facebook.

Should I be worried about foxes in my area?

Foxes are becoming more common in urban areas - some estimates suggest that there could be up to 10,000 living in London alone. They can become a nuisance by emptying bins, digging, fouling and making lots of noise.

However, it is very rare that they are reported to attack a human.

John Bryant, a Humane Wildlife Deterrents Officer, told the BBC: 'It's a freakish event - it's not in my experience of fox behaviour. Foxes do anything to avoid trouble really.'

The RSPCA said: 'Foxes are shy creatures and this sounds like an extremely rare occurrence, however our thoughts are with the children and their families. We wish them a speedy recovery.'

How do I keep foxes away from my house?

The charity The Fox Project, which deals with sick and injured foxes, say that using repellents is a humane way to keep foxes away from your garden - they recommend either 'Scoot' or 'Get off my garden'. Both of these can be bought online at foxolutions.co.uk.

The RSPCA said: 'If people have issues with foxes near their homes they should contact their local authority or a licensed pest controller. To discourage foxes from people's property they should also ensure any rubbish and household waste left out is secure and not open for scavenging.'

So what exactly happened to the fox attack twins?

It is thought that a fox entered the house through a patio door that had been left open because of the heat and got into the girls' bedroom. Both girls were bitten on the arm and Lola was also bitten on the face.

Both were treated in hospital and Isabella was moved to Great Ormond St Hospital. It's thought they both needed surgery. Both girls have now been released from hospital.

The twins' mum, Pauline described the situation as a 'living nightmare'.

She said she went to check on the babies when she heard a cry coming from their room: 'It was quite muffled but very pained. I went into the room and I saw some blood in Isabella's cot, I thought she had a nosebleed.

'I put on the light, I saw the fox, it just looked at me and it wasn't even scared of me.

'I started screaming as I realised Lola was also covered in blood.'

What do you think?

This story seems to have shocked you - Yasmine told us on facebook: 'I can't believe this story! There are a lot of foxes in my area and they have definitely become frightening creatures - not scared of people at all. Will make sure my doors and windows are locked from now on!'

However, Barbara said: 'A hungry fox follows the scent of food, I cannot think why it would enter the house and go upstairs... foxes are timid creatures scraping for a living and they have enough against them.'

Do you see a lot of foxes in your area? Have you ever had one come into your house? Tell us your thoughts and stories by leaving a comment in the box below or on facebook.