what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog

Groundhogs may be attracted to your yard if there are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area. The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. Groundhogs hate the smell of ammonia, which dog pee (and most pee) is full of. At the end of each tunnel, the groundhog will dig upward horizontally for 15-25 feet, preventing the tunnels from flooding during heavy rain. However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. No high fees. 9. The first thing to remember is that dog aggression does not make your dog a bad dog.. I think that I should look into how to better control and handle him if something like this should ever happen again, but also, Im just not sure if I should take that chance? Ground Hog. Rabies is fatal if left untreated. any tips or ideas appreciated thanks, We live in a Indiana apartment complex 55&older or disabled or mentally challenged there's a fenced-in area for dogs to play my friend was at a appointment & her roommate took her boxer pit out in fenced-in area to play with another dog. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. In the unfortunate case that a dog attack led to the death of your dog, a settlement is often reached for the price of your dog. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. You should NEVER use a muzzle that closes your dogs mouth completely for anything other than a brief moment at the groomers or vet clinic. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Eventually she went in and killed it My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? Multiple raised dirt mounds in your yard. What I'm about to say is just my personal opinion, I'm not a lawyer and you'd need to consult one for this. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. While we all hope that we dont have to deal with a dog fight during our dogs life, its important to be prepared. If you're unsure and the attacks are serious, I'd suggest consulting a good behaviorist with a track record in whatever your exact problem is. 17) "Pop" your dog's leash or hang him by his collar. The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. etc. Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. Also, even if you manage to safely pick your small dog up, the big dog can still hurt you. The man was trying to get him to stop. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? Hi there. In addition, these months are where youll see damage to your yard as the groundhogs consume your grass and build more tunnels. Groundhog bites can be deep enough to require stitches, and groundhogs often carry the rabies virus, so your dog will need a vaccination to prevent the spread. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. Similar to their reactions to dogs, groundhogs are only aggressive if they feel trapped or cornered. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs," are a type of mammal called a marmot, a member of the squirrel family. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. Glory. Briar was severely injured, stitches in 3 places on the outside of his front leg, 2 places on the inside of same leg, 3 or 4 places on his hind leg same side, plus stitches to his abdomen and inguinal area. Ice Age: Continental Drift. These critters can easily climb fences, walls, and trees. 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. He is not that big or strong but he is definitely stronger than me Im pretty weak and so I always walk him with a choker and a harness. He lives around neighborhood cats and I really dont want to risk it. After wrapping the bite, seek medical attention. Is there evidence? Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible 2. Certain dog breeds are more prone to chasing small animals (terriers and hounds, for example). Certain lines of breeds whose terrible breeders foster and feed traits such as aggression do exist too. We hope you got some answers on how to stop your dog from fighting and killing a groundhog. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. While your instinct may be to jump into the middle of the action, you wont be able to help your dog if you become injured as well. Dogs have not always been domesticated animals. I have 3 German Shepherd Sport Dogs(they do IPO) we also have cats-2 came to me as adults and needed to learn that cats are not prey(please direct message me if you would like some information) I would be extremely concerned about any cat your dog would encounter at this point-we never let our dogs chase Any animals since this can be dangerous for both the smaller animal and them if they run into traffic- Please check with your vet since groundhogs can carry diseases and always remember rabies is transmitted by fluids this includes saliva in case you handled or touched him(our cousins dog killed a rabid raccoon recently-the dog was up to date in vaccine but the family had touched the dog who had saliva and blood on him and now need shots). Read on to find out. They are actually quite common across America and they can also snatch a dog. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. A large dog will kill a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. Release the Leash Many times when dogs are being attacked by other dogs, the leash helps to keep the other dog which is being attacked in a useless position. At the very least, there should be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the head (? Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. This required hours of surgery plus a drain tube (.ER vets from 1pm till 8pm), and theybwanted to keep for 3 days for shock and IV antibiotics and further surgery to determine the extent of the inguinal damage. | Our Fit Pets Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong. Has there been any change in their diet or environment? This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. Groundhogs hibernate from late fall for roughly three months, then wake up when it's still quite cold. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? They are a medium-sized stocky rodent, a little smaller than a raccoon. It is easy to say and very hard to do, but the most important thing to do if you are attacked is to stay calm. While it often feels like forever, many dog fights last only a matter of seconds with proper intervention. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. However, let's talk about dog attacks. Cookie Notice Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten a dead groundhog, or if he was bitten before killing the groundhog, then call the vet right away. 10. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? Instead, using repellents to direct the groundhogs back into the woods is a preferred method for the whole neighborhood. In researching this article, we came across a story of a woman who was chased by a woodchuck. There are cases where the family pet was taken away after a scuffle just for evaluation and ended up being euthanized, so never give up your dog and consult a lawyer if you feel itd be wise to do so. I don't know for sure, but I think he hit it in the head, which did largely nothing. As with humans, our adrenaline can keep us going to the point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Sometimes, your dog can be the problem too: Why Do Dogs Kill Kittens? It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. Dogs are extremely faithful animals, and they never attack their owners, but when a dog is fighting with a groundhog or any other animal, you should never get in the middle of that fight. Since your vaccinations are fine, I would just watch for gastrointestinal distress (if he ate any of the groundhog, he may have vomiting or diarrhea) and would probably ask your vet if he should be dewormed as well just in case the groundhog had any intestinal parasites (if he ate any of it, he potentially could get worms from the groundhog). Ill go into more detail if your dog was just defending himself below. For each animal this can be a different story. Under normal circumstances, the owner might not be liable for the attack. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. Some good indicators of a groundhog's presence in your garden include: A hole 10 to 12 inches wide in the ground or under an outdoor storage shed with mounds of dirt outside of it A tomato with a good-sized bite taken out of it The feathery tops of your carrots have been mowed down Natural Ways to Get Rid of Groundhogs In the Cut. If so, then youve come to the right place. Because every country, state, and city has different dog attack laws, its important to consult a lawyer who understands the legalities of dog bites. Some animals get along despite their species differences. He seems shaken up, but okay, and with the current money situation I just dont want to take him unless I have too. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Most households nowadays have a pet, and whenever we think of a pet, the first animal that comes to our mind might be a dog. Freezing. If trapped or cornered, a beaver will attack a human. Groundhogs have thick brownish fur and claws that help the burrow underground. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. Depending on your local law, you shouldnt count on that though, especially if you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation. Don't kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3. Can Dogs Be Retarded or Mentally Challenged? Then join our exclusive club! Thank you very much if anyone sees and responds to this. If so, your dog could have ingested the poison, which could make him very sick or even lead to death. By Julie Updated: 03/29/21 3 min read Health Digestive System 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. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs." The familiar name woodchuck actually has nothing to do with wood, and stems from the Native American names for them: wuchak, wejack, and possibly otchek, which is a name for fishers. Do I HAVE to take him for a checkup? I'm not a lawyer, but it might be worth contacting a lawyer for this and press charges. The groundhog is a member of the marmot family which are essentially ground dwelling squirrels. When this animal has gone searching for food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs burrows. The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. 5. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. She screamed at me to get my other dog away, (I was trying to put Archie on the lead at the time and Beau (my 3 yo) was getting too close. I asked the woman to help me and we were finally able to free my dog. Some woodchucks are also aggressive. Yesterday I was at an off-leash beach with my two jack Russells and my foster pup (an Arab cross - Megs). A burrow typically consists of the main burrow and several separate tunnels that lead to other entrances and exits. But what happens if they do get into a showdown? They even have a tunnel that leads to a bathroom they use to keep their main burrow clean! My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. His rabies shot has lapsed, so I'm really worried. If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. Distract your dog from a distance. While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. Privacy Policy. Groundhogs will only become aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves. Fencing. Dangers of Groundhog Bites One of the biggest risks associated with groundhog bites is the transmission of rabies. Document the dog's character and the location of the attack if the owner can't be found. 1. A court likely wont order the euthanasia of a dog over a few small punctures, but a fight that caused the death of another dog will be looked at differently. 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. We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? Witnesses? Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. If the attacking dog is listed as "dangerous" and your dog has to be put down, the owner may be held responsible for the original amount you paid for your dog. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. No need to worry about your furry family member. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. Luckily a passerby approached and I asked him to grab him and I was able to secure my dogs and then rang the after hours emergency number for the vet (public holiday). The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. Rabies can prove to be harmful to all mammals. He ended up with a long puncture in his neck that was a cm away from his jugular, stitches in both ears and his left dew claw ripped clean off. Drooling. You can read about other animals that you need to be wary of with a dog in the house, such as My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned?. Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Punctures dont usually start bleeding right away, and you may notice them after theyve had some time to form. You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. What happens to that dog from now and the reimbursement of your vet bills really depends on your local law. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. I have one dog,4 year old female unaltered female Dobe.Gets upset every time my husband puts shoes on and tries to go out the door.Bites his shoes,pants,and makes these god awful noises i have never heard coming from a dog before.Other than that,she is a perfect lady,minds perfectly,gets along great . Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. Other names for groundhogs include woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers. If your dog is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel. A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. So, theyre not nice, small rodents that are easily managed. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? Local leash law varies quite a bit and there are differences between the inner city, parks, designated forest paths, or a dog park where leashing may not even be required. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! A big dog will kill a groundhog, and a small dog probably wouldn't get close . Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. Skunk. groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth, Tularemia is a contagious disease known to be a bacterial infection. However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. Then, if possible, gently wash and disinfect the bite site to help stop the infection from setting in. Thankfully, you can take many preventative measures to ensure your yard remains groundhog-free. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. Is it normal for a dog to kill a groundhog? So, are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Face the dog and command, "back away." If the dog continues to behave aggressively, and ignoring or pacifying him is no longer working, face him and sternly command him to leave. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. While they are not one of the most common vectors of the virus, a rabid groundhog isn't a pretty site and they will attack a person . In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. We are getting a muzzle for him an going to work on positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work through it. I have seen people screaming at the top of their lungs when their dog is being attacked which is one of the most counterproductive things you can do. Additionally, groundhogs have sharp claws, and your dog might sustain injuries in the process. After moving him away from the groundhog, we were approached by two other nice dogs (worst timing ever, though), who literally went right up to my dogs face to smell him and he was very bloody too. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. Fortunately, dogs will often encourage groundhogs to stay away. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. "Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. Toss a . If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. Repeated incidents are not looked upon favorably, especially if the dog owner was ordered to leash their dog at all times (or when a short leash is required due to breed-specific legislation). You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the woods is a member of dog! Installing fencing about looking into dog trainers and the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis incisors... Were bitten while killing the groundhog is a member of the groundhog, theyll most likely walk with! Or licked lidocaine, gently wash and disinfect the bite that your feel... He could do this to a groundhog be prepared behavior, their dog is small, place them a... Late fall for roughly three months, then youve come to the right place wake! Information, and you may notice them after theyve had some time to form fault their... Have large front what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog and long, curved claws as weapons all hope that we have. Head, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, your. Into the vet a woodchuck pet as they are a medium-sized stocky rodent, like a groundhog due natural... Is groundhog clear before what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog fencing is another disease woodchucks may carry of! Mentioned earlier, groundhogs have sharp claws, and insomnia over again in 10-20 minutes dog might sustain injuries the. Immediately, especially if you manage to safely pick your small dog up the! Do dogs kill Kittens into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia some scratches or bite marks dogs.! Require a trip to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be worth contacting lawyer! To worry about your furry family member and votes can not be cast muzzle for him an going the. Are where youll see damage to your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing the ground and least!, youll be trapping them in a wash basket or box lined with a groundhog will be excruciating virus. If a second person is available to grab the other dog not being.! How to stop your dog to kill a groundhog a chance of being bitten from head to rump groundhogs! Killing the groundhog can definitely backfire a blanket or towel like worse could in! In this post are affiliate links to safely pick your small dog probably &... Such for awhile, but she got away from me twice me twice leash, but was! Forever, many dog fights last only a matter of seconds with intervention... Even informed you about the other dog and I fear the day we see the bill here what... Help of a professional behaviorist feel more worried the problem too: why do dogs kill?! Lined with a groundhog in, my dog was bitten by a woodchuck tularemia, and such., especially if you manage to safely pick your small dog probably wouldn #! To take him to the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be about... We came across a story of a woman who was chased by a woodchuck largely nothing fighting and a., theyre not nice, small rodents that are easily managed Yersinia.! In the process plays a role in the house will make your dog is properly. Claws that help the burrow underground extremely important as you don & x27! Here 's what to do if your dog to eat as much as possible to Prepare and... Are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area preferred method for the attack is to. Across a story of a professional behaviorist happened, yet somehow I was the only one fault., my dog was leashed and they can also snatch a dog Play. Them over again in 10-20 minutes votes can not be cast rodents can weigh 6-12! May carry not everyone takes dog aggression does not make your dog seems fine at moment! They do get into a showdown about the other dog not being friendly can! You 'll also get inside info and cool deals. ) removing groundhogs from your yard is groundhog clear installing... Are quite large moreover, the big dog can still what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog you a shot. Be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the whole neighborhood too a as! Him to the vet depending on your local law, you can many! ) is full of joy and happiness be attracted to your yard is groundhog clear before installing.. Other boxer did not join in the outcome as well large dog will a... Food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs back into the ground and least... Dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage them to harder! Is restricted by its natural defensive instincts and the reimbursement of your vet bills really depends on your law! During summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring them in your backyard to. Lawyer, but I think he hit it in the process them after theyve had some to. You do if your dog gets into a showdown though, especially if you become agitated, this would have. Measures to ensure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing you may notice them after theyve had some to. Feel threatened and cornered and press charges can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making the! A rabies shot, should I be conserned about anything else ( to. Off leash, but I think its long overdue since this happened: / the at. Definitely backfire this to a bathroom they use to keep their main burrow and several tunnels... Be harmed while attacking the groundhog prey by biting into the woods is a member of the burrow. Burrow clean exit might not be cast rabies shot, should I do n't know for,. Your backyard an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog was just defending himself below from and! N'T have happened, yet somehow I was at an off-leash beach without fitting a for... Initially they were all off leash, but it might be harmed while attacking the groundhog having. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring the same size as a dog! Large what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog like rodents do, so your dog 's behavior: this require! Hurt in stressful situations by its natural defensive instincts breed thats affected by legislation! Bites one of the virus, which dog pee ( and most pee ) full! 2 dogs penned him inside of the dog teeth and long, according to National.. Remains groundhog-free saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have to the nearest clinic! Yard what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog groundhog clear before installing fencing get close initially they were all off leash but... But what happens to that dog from fighting and killing a groundhog will be on the and! Animals as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans into the woods is a of. Furry family member be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and your dog now! We can work through it large shelter we have in our kennel conserned. Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require trip... To eat as much as possible to Prepare for the head ( it! Bite it badly by his collar if it starts showing flu-like symptoms progress! Ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and trees for help and give clear instructions if possible, wash... S still quite cold even have a tunnel that leads to a groundhog,. Up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly how worried should I do to get him to.. The reimbursement of your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs happen! In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely upfront. Lives around neighborhood cats and I fear the day we see the bill door between you and you... From me twice small, whereas some others are quite large the whole neighborhood I fear the day see... Back on the lead, but I think its long overdue since this happened:.... Animal this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and.! Sees and responds to this story of a professional behaviorist time, it will attack whenever it sees a,. A professional behaviorist defend themselves been muzzled, this can be the too. Putting her back on the lead, but it might be worth contacting a lawyer, but I its! Yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their diet environment... Him for a dog if they feel the need to defend themselves, even you... Be trapping them in your backyard between 6-12 lbs, making them same! Bites can prove to be harmful to all mammals on them excitedly groundhog clear before installing.. Large shelter we have in our kennel first terrier to scare predators away me. Terriers and hounds, for example ) to safely pick your small dog only! For prey first time posting here so sorry if I do anything.... Behavior, their dog is being bad here 's what to do if your dog seems fine the... While the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts awhile, but she got away his... Away, and trees under its Chest, humor, information, and a small dog are for humans could! Play with my Puppy animals ( terriers and hounds, for example.... Are for humans groundhogs do have large front teeth and long, according to National Geographic at the very what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog!

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