A homeowner in Bearsden, Scotland, set up a hidden camera to catch individuals he suspected of stealing his milk, only to discover the unexpected thief was a fox cub. Gordon Campbell, 42, had been receiving milk deliveries since the COVID-19 pandemic, but approximately a month prior to setting up the camera, his deliveries began to go missing.
Campbell initially suspected "militant vegans" might be behind the thefts, believing they could be engaging in activism by spilling milk. He decided to install a camera at his home to catch the perpetrator in the act. The footage, however, revealed a young fox cub approaching his doorstep, taking a milk bottle in its mouth, spilling it, and then running away.
Following the repeated thefts, Campbell paused his milk deliveries and resumed purchasing milk from a supermarket. He stated that he was unsure of the culprit, considering both human and animal suspects. While magpies, known for their intelligence, were briefly blamed, Campbell doubted their ability to move a full milk bottle. He prepared a sting operation by filling a spare glass bottle with milk and placing it outside on a Sunday night.
The camera captured the fox cub shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Monday. Campbell found the situation humorous, remarking on the "wee, cute fox" taking the milk and that his forgiveness was immediate upon seeing its appearance. He is considering resuming milk deliveries, potentially with a box provided for the milkman to place the bottles in.
In a separate incident months earlier, Campbell's pet cat, Bruce, had chased a fox away from the family's cat flap. Video from that event showed the cat confronting and driving the fox out of the garden.