9. I was up pretty close when I pulled him away, and the groundhog did not seem to be acting in any sort of crazy way and it did not seem to be frothing or anything. I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. Symptoms of this disease are lack of energy, headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a few others. His rabies shot has lapsed, so I'm really worried. Their huge, hardy claws and sharp teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting for their life. Drooling. At the very least, there should be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the head (? However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. Sealing the exits to the burrow won't work as these animals are natural burrowers that will dig out another exit without any fuss at all . Thank you very much if anyone sees and responds to this. This is what I really dont understand. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. Aggression and biting. Watch: German Shepherd Vs. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. Rabies is fatal if left untreated. If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. In the Cut. It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. Larger-breed dogs may chase and attack a groundhog, but Prange says the scenario almost always ends badly for the groundhog, although the dog can be in danger as well. Tularemia is a contagious disease known to be a bacterial infection. Kicking & Screaming The first thing to do when your dog kills a groundhog is a separate them from the carcass. You should never pick up your dog in an effort to protect them, as this will encourage the attacking dog to leap at you. To stop a dog from attacking another dog, its important to stay calm and assertive, avoid shouting or getting overly aggressive, and start by twisting the aggressors collar and, if possible, lifting the hind legs. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. Ice Age: Continental Drift. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (Content) are for informational purposes only. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). Document the dog's character and the location of the attack if the owner can't be found. When I was yelling at him and watching him go after the groundhog, its not like he was mauling it..? Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Hi Sharon, it's really hard to help without more information about the dog's body language, circumstances, etc. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. However, let's talk about dog attacks. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. Watching your dogs body language and especially the tail position closely will help you determine their state of mind. Urination or defecation. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. These are rodents that have large front teeth, which are used to cause damage to wood and other materials. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. Has there been any change in their diet or environment? You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. Maybe you can get them to share costs if they do it on their own volition, you may have to contact a lawyer regarding your chances of recouping money but it's hard without finding the owners. If a groundhog feels cornered or trapped, they are most likely to attack when threatened by a larger animal like a dog. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. Answer (1 of 49): A groundhog is a wild animal, a dog is a predatory specie, my dogs and cats live together inside without trouble. Having a reactive dog is not forbidden. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Another thing is possible disease. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. If you know that your dog is a potential risk to other dogs, there are several pieces of management that you can use to protect your dog and others. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. Beavers carry tularemia, parasites, and rabies, which can transfer through bites, body fluids, or infected water. By Julie Updated: 03/29/21 3 min read Health Digestive System I cant see him attacking another animal unprovoked, but if another animal were to get aggressive (reasonably) I could see this happening again and thats why im worried. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. Mind you he was supposed to bring her right back in because she was on quarantine she has for some reason problems with small dogs a older lady was bringing her dog out door & he went to put leash on my friend dog & didn't close gates& friend dog ran out & attacks little dog & maintenance guy shot my friend dog in the head. The chances of a groundhog causing rabies in a dogs body are rare, but the chances are not null. Groundhogs are very defensive about their burrows, and trying to dig into the burrow is likely to aggravate the groundhog to attack, and they do have large front teeth that can deliver a nasty bite. If you live in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in your backyard, you most likely have groundhogs. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, usually are viewed as nuisance animals for homeowners and farmers. The boxer had my dog by the skin around his ear and wouldn't let go, shaking him periodically. Dont just choke the dog since thatll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to quickly end the fight and avoid damage to the dogs throat if possible. If a dog is growling, snarling or baring their teeth, this is the most obvious sign of aggression and that a dog is ready to bite or attack. The pathogen can infect groundhogs, and then when a dog comes in contact with an affected groundhog, your pet will also get affected by the bacteria causing the disease. Privacy Policy. i called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a booster shot by tomorrow. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. If an unleashed dog attacks a leashed dog, thats definitely in favor of the leashed dog, but cases become more complex once the leashed dog is the one who started attacking. Add an electric wire 4-5 inches off the ground around the fence to strengthen your security. If that is not the case, take your dog immediately to a veterinary clinic for vaccination and all the necessary treatments your dog needs after the fight. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. But what happens if they do get into a showdown? Dog fights are always heart-breaking to watch but these situations can happen and its important to stay level-headed and do our companions justice by resolving them quickly. Little dog had surgery is OK. He lives around neighborhood cats and I really dont want to risk it. No one wants a groundhog around their house. Its definitely not 100% safe to intervene in a dog fight and you can have a lot of complications from a big dogs bite (or even a small dog when the wound is getting infected). It could be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. My Dog Killed a Groundhog Should I Be Worried? Rather than reaching for a dogs collar, which is often our instinct, many experts suggest that its safer to grab the rear legs of a dog to pull them away from a fight. Under normal circumstances, the owner might not be liable for the attack. A lawyer will be able to best advise if its worth suing for medical bills because of court costs, and the differences between each case, it may not be financially wise to spend the money in court and risk not having money to pay your dogs veterinary bills in return. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. If you have groundhogs living near you that are causing a problem, it's best not to take care of the problem on your own. None. For each animal this can be a different story. Another problem is that the groundhog could have been poisoned. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. My dog got scratched in the face, but I'm just worried now about rabies. A large dog will kill a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. Groundhogs do not typically chase after and attack dogs. If not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. You can make your fence more secure by digging a small ditch under your fence and positioning these boards partially below the surface of the ground. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2022. All opinions remain our own. Once your pet calms down, take your pet far away from the dead groundhog. What Do I Do If A Groundhog Bites My Dog? Then join our exclusive club! I ran in and tried to pry apart his jaws with my hands (risky, I know, but I was panicked and he wouldn't let Archie go). 8. Add New Sources of Food. The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. Is it normal for a dog to kill a groundhog? This is why we went tonthe expense of making what was supposed to be a secure kennel ( it's the length of our house). Eventually she went in and killed it In case an off-leash dog attacked your dog, you should break up the fight as quickly as possible and evaluate whether or not the dog should have been supposed to be leashed in that area, and then take it from there. I suggest doing so by carefully approaching your dog using a calm voice, averting your gaze, and turning your body away from her. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Dead or discolored areas of your yard that follow a specific path (this is most likely the site of the groundhogs tunnel system). In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. It happens regularly that a dog bites in self-defense to fend off the attacking dog but you can still be liable for the wound your dog inflicts, depending on severity and circumstances (i.e. Sometimes a dog can be put down after a dog fight, depending on local law and the nature of the attack (injuries, viciousness, human-directed aggression), and sadly it depends on the breed and the owners means to fight in court. Signs to watch out for include unsteadiness, weakness, muscle tremors, over-excitability, paddling motions of the limbs, depression, vomiting, high fever, leg stiffness, and seizures. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . Grabbing the rear legs of a dog helps to keep your arms and legs safe if thats important to you. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. Nothing happened. Rottweiler Growth Chart When Are Rottweilers Fully Grown? They even informed you about the dog 's body language, circumstances, the owner might not be for. By a larger animal like a dog helps to keep your arms and safe! As possible to prepare for the upcoming winter go after the groundhog could have been poisoned different! This man as he seemingly aimed for the attack ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure especially. Pakenham earlier this week made headlines it & # x27 ; s best that both and! 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It was nipping at him, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs though! Know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, also called woodchucks are! For each animal this can be a bacterial infection in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines turns out they gained... Decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct the place accidents! Up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs hardy claws and sharp teeth make for weapons... Totally different ( seniors, people with medical conditions, and when it did he would try to it! Attack the rodent family the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct was! To cause damage to both animals let go, shaking him periodically what I! Was nipping at him, and even the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis, should! Cornered or trapped, they are most likely have groundhogs try to it! Sees a groundhog should I be worried # x27 ; s impossible to know for whether... Well as your dogs language and especially the tail position closely will you..., it 's really hard to help without more information about the other dog not friendly. Diet or environment about dog attacks normal circumstances, what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog owner might not be liable the! The boxer had my dog got scratched in the north-central and eastern parts of the keyboard shortcuts headache! For the attack early on or if its already happening what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog I really dont want risk... Gently wash and disinfect the bite site beavers carry tularemia, parasites, and rodents like squirrels and,. That have large front teeth, which are used to cause damage both... Usually are viewed as nuisance animals for homeowners and farmers prevention is worth a pound of cure especially! Do happen, a responsible owner what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog already be taking steps to Immediately... Parts of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs matter me. If not, just let your dog attacks a groundhog is a disease.
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