what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. After wrapping the bite, seek medical attention. Punctures dont usually start bleeding right away, and you may notice them after theyve had some time to form. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. However, its also important to recognize when your dog is not social with other dogs and take appropriate management steps to keep everyone safe. Theyre most often found across the central and eastern United States, living as far north as Canada and Alaska. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). You can use shrubs and trees to prevent early nesters from moving in. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). Because every country, state, and city has different dog attack laws, its important to consult a lawyer who understands the legalities of dog bites. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why Im concerned. The rodents' sharp teeth may cause serious injury as well as infection. Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal. 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. What to Do if a Dog Attacks You Indoors This scenario is most likely to happen if your own dog or the dog of an acquaintance is the problem or if you're in a dog-centric business like veterinary clinics or grooming. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. Under normal circumstances, the owner might not be liable for the attack. Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. Once the fight is over, do a health inspection of your dog and if you notice something unusual, take your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. My Dog Killed a Groundhog Should I Be Worried? The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. In this article, we will discuss what can happen and what you should do if your dog killed a groundhog.. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. My almost two year old lab has recently become aggressive with my 5 year old dog.other than with that dog, she is sweet and submissive. As responsible owners, its our job to be physically and mentally prepared for these situations and at least try our best. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-banner-1','ezslot_13',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-114{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}You can avoid any kind of infection if your dog is properly vaccinated. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! Trembling. Instead, they simply deter them from staying. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". While we all hope that we dont have to deal with a dog fight during our dogs life, its important to be prepared. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. Lidocaine patches are fairly common in households. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. 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. The holes they dig can be hard to spot, so if your dog is running in the backyard and doesnt see one, they may catch a paw in the hole. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. If your dog needed veterinary attention, its possible in many cases to request that the owner of the dog who attacked yours pay the vet bills. This disease is spread through the saliva of an animal. Moreover, if a groundhog bites your dog, this fatal disease can also be transmitted from the groundhogs body as these rodents are known as the carriers of rabies. If your dog was attacked by another dog, the aggressors owner should offer to pay for veterinary care and if you want to report a negligent or even intentional attack, local authorities will most likely act, depending on the severity and local law. 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. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. 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). 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. Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. Rabies is fatal if left untreated. 5. To stop a dog from attacking another dog, it's important to stay calm and assertive, avoid shouting or getting overly aggressive, and start by twisting the aggressor's collar and, if possible, lifting the hind legs. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 1. Dogs and mature ground dogs can cluster and become gravely hurt. Dog owners with dogs that are listed as dangerous often have requirements for how they need to manage their dog to avoid another incident in the future. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. Ill go into more detail if your dog was just defending himself below. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. Constant vocalization and barking. He has now been snappy towards our 1 yr old Texas heeler an our cats. A groundhog may try to attack a person if they think they have no other choice, but they will often attempt to run away when approached. Groundhogs are excellent climbers, just like their tiny cousins, so it might not seem like a wire fence with holes up to three inches will stop them. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. While these tactics can work, you may be directing your groundhogs into your neighbors yard, which ultimately isnt the goal. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. What happens to that dog from now and the reimbursement of your vet bills really depends on your local law. This is especially true if the owner of the other dog was being negligent, or if the other dog caused serious harm to your dog. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. Thank you for reading our article. Sometimes, reporting the dog bite will serve as a fair warning to the dogs owner that they need to take better steps to control their dogs behavior and keep everyone safe. The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar couldn't get up an walk on his own without help for,48hrs +). When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! Privacy Policy. A police report was filed. 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. 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? 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. Add an electric wire 4-5 inches off the ground around the fence to strengthen your security. Aggression and biting. Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. What if your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed a human? There are several things you can do to stop a dog attack on a cat, other animal or person. We have been told to even attempt to get any reimbursement for vet bills that it would have to be smalls claims for personal property as dogs are considered PP. Ice Age: Continental Drift. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? Having a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. We are getting a muzzle for him an going to work on positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work through it. Primarily herbivores, they will occasionally eat smaller rodents and insects. Certain lines of breeds whose terrible breeders foster and feed traits such as aggression do exist too. 2. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. That's gross. If so, then youve come to the right place. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. You may be able to inquire with local authorities (perhaps the dog is registrered, etc.). Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. He lives around neighborhood cats and I really dont want to risk it. The short answer is YES, you should. 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). The local authorities will need to contact the pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). However, since they were able to warn you, they perhaps should've been more proactive but it's hard to say whether the dog was known to be aggressive or just reactive and this was the first attack. No one wants a groundhog around their house. Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? The Ides of March. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. The type of muzzle you should strongly consider in this case is a basket-type muzzle, that allows your dog to fully open their mouth to pant, take treats, and drink while preventing them from grabbing a hold of something with their mouth. 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 . Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. Depending on your local law, you shouldnt count on that though, especially if you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. Watching your dogs body language and especially the tail position closely will help you determine their state of mind. The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. Whether you know what is causing this aggressive behavior or not, consulting a behaviorist will be necessary to deal with it. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. At the very least, there should be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the head (? There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. No need to worry about your furry family member. Expert's Assistant chat. 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. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. When this animal has gone searching for food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs burrows. I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. The second time, I was in the water and a strong wave nearly knocked me over and I ended up dropping the lead by accident. Stay calm. Personally, I would look up local law but I'd be pretty confident that getting reimbursed for all vet bills should be a no-brainer since it happened on your own property with dogs who had a bite history. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'thepupcrawl_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Initially, your dog might develop flu-like symptoms. Attach it to a stick with a string and have a friend move it around the room while you practice the "leave it" command, followed by the focus exercise. If the groundhog bites the dog during the fighting, then your dog can have rabies, and you can easily detect it by the symptoms of the disease. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? 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. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. Witnesses? Groundhogs have thick brownish fur and claws that help the burrow underground. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-leader-1-0');As we have reached the end of this article, we hope that now you know what to do if your dog kills a groundhog. A groundhog is a rodent but is much larger than a mouse or even some rats. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! Groundhogs do not typically chase after and attack dogs. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Nothing happened. 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. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. The good news is that groundhogs dont carry as many diseases as other rodents. Porcupine. If the cat and the dog live inside together, a lifetime may . Hi Kat, when it comes to liability, it'd be really important to know if there's a bite history with that dog and if the beach was truly a designated off-leash area (not just where people commonly walk their dogs off-leash). Anyone deal with this? Some terrific groundhog repellents include epsom salt, ammonia, talcum powder, red pepper flakes, and garlic. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. Ticks and fleas: Dogs can catch ticks and fleas from wild animals like groundhogs. Though I actually have no recollection of what they were doing when the attack took place. They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. Its often the case that one owner is responsible and following local laws by keeping their dog on a leash, and their on-leash dog is attacked by a dog that is off-leash. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. 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. Most squirrel attacks arise when a dog or a cat attempts to catch it, and while. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Use a hose to flood their tunnels, leaving them no choice but to find drier land. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. The first is to grab a leash . Glad the small dog is ok, but not sure what happened to the other dog or why the rabie shot matters. Kicking & Screaming Tularemia: this is an infectious disease caused by bacteria; symptoms of this infection can include lethargy, chills, headaches, fever, skin ulcers, swollen, painful lymph nodes, and more. The groundhog is a member of the marmot family which are essentially ground dwelling squirrels. and our Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. 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. Most dogs cannot catch a groundhog because of how quick they are, but that doesnt stop them from trying. 46 thoughts on " What To Do When A Dog Attacks " Patricia Faber July 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. Urination or defecation. The first thing to remember is that dog aggression does not make your dog a bad dog.. Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. Fencing. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. The answer is that you should be worried if your dog killed a groundhog. If the handbag doesn't keep the dog from attacking, use pepper spray, if you have it on hand during an attack to avoid injury. An upward leash pop or all out hanging by lifting your dog's front feet off the ground needs to be outlawed. I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. You can always try filing a claim but your neighbor might end up fighting it and I'm not sure what your options are or if you have any financial aid. While rare, the effects of this disease can be serious. If an accident happens, your dog is likely to be in trouble too due to being unleashed. His rabies shot has lapsed, so I'm really worried. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? Skunk. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. 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. Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? 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. Items like pinwheels can keep groundhogs away for a short time. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? While it often feels like forever, many dog fights last only a matter of seconds with proper intervention. Unprovoked aggression is scary to witness in dogs. Just Go With It. Thank you very much if anyone sees and responds to this. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Since groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, you can use pesticides designed for similar rodents to keep them away from your home. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. 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 Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. SuperbDog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. These critters can easily climb fences, walls, and trees. 1. Not only is it a feat to break up the fight, but you might leave the battlefield scarred, perhaps even caused by your own dogs fangs. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. Distract your dog from a distance. If a groundhog has already started tunneling in your yard, you can use the above repellents in the burrows closest to your home, moving further away until you have treated the last tunnel. Little dog had surgery is OK. Destructive behaviors. A large dog will kill a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. You can also invest in auditory tools like solar stakes that emit ultrasonic pulses underground. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. as they live in the house it only seems to be in house the trouble flairs the griff had been living in spain came to gb 3 yrs ago the old boy died hence we took him on. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. While its best to have situational awareness and spot potential threats early on, a surprise attack or just unlucky circumstances are always a possibility. As ever, prevention is the best way to stop groundhog attacks, so stay vigilant while your kitty is outside. In short, they eat money. The Complete Guide to Dog Separation Anxiety, Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible, Dont kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage to bite harder, Twist the collar and/or grab the rear legs, Check your dog and exchange insurance information. These rather big predators are also known as the Pumas. Then, your pet will have no sense of who its enemy or friend is and can even cause harm to you. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. What Is Wrong? 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. Sometimes, your dog can be the problem too: Why Do Dogs Kill Kittens? Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. 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. For each animal this can be a different story. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well.
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