Red isn't always communist.

Since they didn't make a big deal about it in the story, I suspect the type of fox is irrelevant.

Likely, the con artist was independent, which is why it was so easily euthanized.

If it were a snow fox, then you'd have my attention. Snow foxes are foxes that "will go to the ends of the earth in some of the most rugged and unaccommodating biomes" which denotes them being a con artist with access to TOP-SECRET information, particularly old info like who really was behind JFK's assassination. Cold = Old(not warm, think Marco-Polo pool game) = Historical (Real History).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fox_and_the_Hound

Think about what the characters represent. In reality, foxes have no true allegiances because once a fox, always a fox. It's wise to only rarely trust a fox after they reveal themselves to be a fox. They have to go above and beyond to demonstrate loyalty.

Other examples:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Mr.Fox(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zootopia