A hungry fox in Canada has gone viral after police allegedly caught the furry suspect fleeing a barbecue scene with a mouth full of stolen hot dogs.
The bizarre incident unfolded in the small mountain community of Crowsnest Pass in Alberta, where officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded to what they jokingly described as a “theft involving BBQ goods.”
When officers arrived, they reportedly discovered the culprit almost immediately. A red fox was spotted carrying several full-sized hot dogs in its mouth while attempting to escape into nearby bushland.
Photos released by police quickly exploded online, showing the fox proudly trotting away with its unusual haul. Social media users wasted no time turning the animal into an internet celebrity, with many joking that the fox had been “falsely accused” or simply preparing for barbecue season the only way it knew how.
According to reports, police never recovered the missing hot dogs and no charges were laid against the four-legged suspect.
Authorities in Alberta leaned into the humour of the situation, describing the suspect as having “red hair, short in stature and wearing a thick coat.” The tongue-in-cheek post drew thousands of reactions online as people joked about the fox being “caught red-handed.”
One commenter wrote that the fox deserved “a full pardon based on cuteness alone,” while others joked the animal was simply trying to feed its family during the busy spring season.
Wildlife experts say foxes are highly opportunistic animals and are known to steal food from campsites, bins, and outdoor gatherings when the opportunity presents itself. With warmer weather arriving across Canada and barbecue season beginning, authorities warned people to keep food secured outdoors.
The RCMP later confirmed the fox eventually disappeared back into the woods, still carrying its hot dog jackpot.
