A defiant holiday park boss has defended exterminating foxes wreaking havoc on his land after nearby residents branded the killings “heartbreaking”.

Barry Philpott, who owns Hampton Bay Park on the outskirts of Herne Bay, says the “natural born killers” were massacring chickens, “defecating in awnings”, chewing guide ropes - and even stealing items from campers.

He recently brought in pest controllers to tackle the rampaging “vermin” at the site near Studd Hill - but locals have been left saddened at the loss of the animals.

Mr Philpott claims one trespassing resident vandalised trail cameras set up to catch foxes.

He describes himself as an animal lover and says the number of killings at the camping and caravan park was in single figures.

“The action we have taken is not a cull but limited pest control,” he said.

“The fox problem has been the destruction of animal feed, horse tack and killing our chickens – eight in one night.

“They are also defecating in awnings and chewing guide ropes, and there has been a loss of personal effects, such as footwear, belts, food, etc.

“As this was getting progressively worse, we had to take action.”

The government website states foxes are not protected for conservation purposes in England and the owner of property where a problem occurs can decide when to control them.

Several methods can be used legally, such as baited cage trapping, shooting and snarling.

But using self-locking snares, poison, gas, crossbows, explosives and live decoys is illegal.

Mr Philpott added: “People should understand these are wild animals and classed as vermin.

“By residents feeding them, they are trying to domesticate them and this will not work as they are natural born killers.

“They will kill anything they can - for example, anything that is smaller than them, your pets included.

“They then don't eat them because people have been feeding them.

“We as a family are animal and pet lovers and support many animal charities but you have to understand it is something – like it or not – that cannot be ignored.”

However, many people have been left upset by the pest control action, including Studd Hill resident Anne Belworthy, who had one friendly fox regularly visit her garden.

“This is heartbreaking news and many local people are furious about it – as am I,” the 87-year-old said.

She began feeding a fox in about mid-May after she spotted it on her patio.

After that, it returned every day at about tea time, looking in through the glass.

“I always had some food ready for her and would slip it through a small door opening without frightening her,” she said.

Mrs Belworthy named the fox Scout and says the bushy-tailed visitor became “quite famous” on Facebook after she shared pictures of her.

But about three weeks ago, the creature failed to appear and has not been seen since.

And this week, she learnt foxes living near Hampton Bay Park had been “shot”.

“Many people are angry about it because the foxes that have lived here for years have never bothered Studd Hill residents and they have been here longer than the caravan park,” she added.

“I fear sweet Scout may be amongst the butchered animals, though I hope that is not the case and one day I will see that little face looking through the patio door at me.”

West Bay councillor Andrew Harvey says he is “quite concerned” but adds it is legal as long as the correct licenses are in place.

“There is an issue with quite a few foxes in Studd Hill and West Bay but I think they probably have a part to play in catching vermin, such as rats,” the city council’s Green Party co-leader said.

“I am not really in favour of interfering with wildlife if we can avoid it.”

Author Julie Wassmer, known for her Whitstable Pearl series, is also among those to voice concerns.

“Studd Hill residents have informed me with so many encroaching developments there are increasingly fewer habitats for local foxes,” she said.

“I am shocked and saddened that we cannot learn to live in harmony with local wildlife as Anne Belworthy had clearly done with Scout.”