Police address BBQ food theft, culprit identified as a fox with a mouthful of hot dogs

A Barbecue Gone Awry

There’s something truly enjoyable about firing up the grill for a barbecue, but it can be incredibly frustrating when you forget a key element.

For me, that’s usually realizing I overlooked checking the propane gauge. However, in one Canadian backyard, the scenario was a bit more surprising: someone stole all the grilled food. But this wasn’t just any thief—it was a four-legged one.

According to the Alberta RCMP, they received a call about a theft involving barbecue equipment. Thankfully, the police acted quickly. You might say, “Why not just head to the store and buy some replacement gear?” But it turned out to be a little more complicated.

Upon their arrival, the officers learned to be cautious of a suspect who was described as “red-haired, short in stature, and wearing a heavy coat.” Eventually, they discovered who the culprit was.

This situation feels a bit like an animal-themed sketch from a comedy, akin to a scene where a character dressed as a hot dog finds themselves in unexpected trouble. It’s kind of amusing. You don’t need a seasoned detective to figure this out; foxes don’t typically eat hot dogs in the wild—though who knows what really goes on in Canada?

It seems this little thief didn’t do the fox community any favors. In the grand scheme of animal pilfering, I’d say foxes hold a spot just below raccoons, who are known for their sneaky antics, especially with those adorable masks.

Authorities later reported that the suspect was released without charges, having had his fill, but now there’s a fox roaming around Alberta enjoying Nathan’s hot dogs. I mean, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have allowed it to happen.