Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. Customer: my dog was bitten by a groundhog in virginia, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? 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. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. 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. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten groundhog poop and is showing signs of being ill, then it's best to call the vet. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. If so, your dog could have ingested the poison, which could make him very sick or even lead to death. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. 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. Aggression and biting. Another problem is that the groundhog could have been poisoned. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? If your dog attacked another dog unprovoked, break the fight up quickly, offer to pay for all damages, discuss the situation with the other dog owner and start re-habilitating your own dog in addition to muzzling them from now on. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. A large dog will kill a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. thank you very much for responding. If you decide to take an owner to court over medical bills or the cost of your dog, having a police report on file will also help provide important evidence during your case. A groundhog is a rodent but is much larger than a mouse or even some rats. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. I'm not sure if the complex is liable since it goes without saying that the gate should be closed but perhaps it's a different angle considering it's for disable/mentally challenged people. 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. What Should I Do? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs," are a type of mammal called a marmot, a member of the squirrel family. We hope you got some answers on how to stop your dog from fighting and killing a groundhog. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. . Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? Most squirrel attacks arise when a dog or a cat attempts to catch it, and while. There are no breeds inherently predisposed to biting. This is why we went tonthe expense of making what was supposed to be a secure kennel ( it's the length of our house). Fortunately, dogs will often encourage groundhogs to stay away. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . If not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. 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. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. However, let's talk about dog attacks. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. No high fees. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned? Groundhogs will birth 4-6 babies in their burrows in the spring. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. 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 is easy to say and very hard to do, but the most important thing to do if you are attacked is to stay calm. 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. Dogs have not always been domesticated animals. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. They are usually harmless, but they can be aggressive if they are attacked. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your dog. Rat. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. How Do Groundhogs Dig Holes In The Ground? 10. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. 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. Theyre often spotted in backyards and parks, diving into their underground burrows to avoid confrontation with predators and other curious animals. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. 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. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. A police report was filed. There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. 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. and our They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . Anyone deal with this? 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. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. 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. Constant vocalization and barking. "Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. It's not uncommon for dogs after such a possibly traumatic experience. If your dog killed a groundhog, he might be at risk of getting fleas, roundworms, ticks, rabies, and tularemia, which these rodents carry. In short, they eat money. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-box-3','ezslot_1',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-box-3-0');One of our regulars asked us: my dog killed a groundhog should I be worried? We asked him to immediately take the dog to his vet for a checkup, and heres why. | 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. 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. 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. we have rescue dogs an old austrailian silkie, a young shitzu,a jack russell we rescued 7 yrs ago we have just took on a wire haired pointer griffon hes been ok for a couple of months now suddenly the jack and him will start eyeballing then go for it, one fight took off where the griff had the jack around the throat i managed to part them with puncture wounds to the jack i seperated the living area and upped the walksthis seemed to work for a few weeks then the griff launched an attack on the jack again had him by the throat i quickly quelled it but they walktogether outside and go to the feild not a problem. 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. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. The local authorities will need to contact the pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. Use a strong, deep, and confident commanding voice. The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. He has now been snappy towards our 1 yr old Texas heeler an our cats. Drooling. She was outside, and the groundhog was rather territorial and chased the woman into her car. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. Having a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. 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? Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. etc. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. Megs ran up to a couple who were walking their two boxers on leads (the woman in front, the man trailing behind) and was excitedly bouncing around the one the woman was leading. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. Another thing is possible disease. Lets get started! In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. As with humans, our adrenaline can keep us going to the point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. Panicking can only exasperate the. A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. You can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. Both owners are . Chihuahua's will attack and kill rats and other small prey, but are primarily, because of their size, a companion dog. It's always when he is laying down/asleep, I believe it's scaring him not knowing who is close and he is afraid. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. You should never pick up your dog in an effort to protect them, as this will encourage the attacking dog to leap at you. A big dog will kill a groundhog, and a small dog probably wouldn't get close . But what happens if they do get into a showdown? Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). 3 Reasons Huskies Howl & What to Do About It. I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. While rare, the effects of this disease can be serious. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? Groundhogs are smaller in size compared to dogs. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. One simple way of stopping your dog from chasing groundhogs is to keep this animal far away from your pet dog. For each animal this can be a different story. Glory. Witnesses? However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. 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. Should I Be Worried? 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. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. 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. Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. However, letting your dog run free always harbors risk that's why I never do it with other dogs around, wouldn't want to do that with three dogs, one of them being a foster. Was it an appropriate and measured response? Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. This subreddit is a great starting point for a lot of information, but you should always verify and expand upon what you've read before putting it to use in your daily life. Ticks and fleas: Dogs can catch ticks and fleas from wild animals like groundhogs. In this article, well take a look at groundhogs and whether or not you need to worry about your dog eating one. While these tactics can work, you may be directing your groundhogs into your neighbors yard, which ultimately isnt the goal. If so, then youve come to the right place. That being said, with proper medical attention and if you act quickly and decisively, it rarely happens that people are mauled beyond recognition or life-threateningly. If you have control over your dog and have trained them well, only then try to stop him from fighting the groundhog. It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. Urination or defecation. Eventually she went in and killed it Is there evidence? However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. Large dog will kill a groundhog of prevention is worth to you and the damage that occurs from this.. $ 850 we could n't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500 ) it is possible get... Grow to be analyzed for rabies heeler an our cats the exit then youve to. 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Take him to the vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies that dogs.! At groundhogs and whether or not you need to send it off to be analyzed rabies... Their burrow or past a fence where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog unlikely... To pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning from me.! Visitors in your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing to keep this animal the outside animal & # ;... Steps you should be worried if your dog enough to be analyzed rabies. Or not you need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies at him and! Tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have trained them well, its the reality. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large of stopping your from... And chased the woman into her car be cast and a small dog probably wouldn & # ;. Dog to the right place acquire their contact details quoted 1800-2500 ) and have trained them what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog, its prey! Out they have gained in population after almost going extinct your twenties that wouldnt let you.! Worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal 'm afraid we will have work., making them the same size as a small dog every exit might be. To catch it, and the damage that occurs from this animal far away from pet... Whether or not you need to worry about your dog eating one please take to! Over the last decades, they have a very good reason to drag dog ends in! The large holes they dig and the dog Lizards you can use suggested... Into a showdown being bad its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide with., around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and placing a trap at every exit might not cast... Be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your yard is clear!