The disappearing rat traps

I believe today I have found the explanation as to why I have lost three rat traps from the garden. I saw a fox running from next door's garden A fox is big enough to take a rat in a trap, hence my losses. We are plagued by rats and foxes can be a nuisance too. Oher people have complained about them digging in their gardens. Prior to this my only complaint was the noise of their mating. Bring back hunting say I. Kill the vermin!