New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. Milder scuffles, which often result in a lot of noise but not necessarily injury to another dog, can be broken up in various ways. 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. Besides the possibility of your dog being attacked by a groundhog, these small critters can also pose other dangers to your pup. 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. Groundhogs are smaller in size compared to dogs. The chances of a groundhog causing rabies in a dogs body are rare, but the chances are not null. It's debatable whether or not a 1 bite law is good, but it sure is sad that your neighbor did not heed the warning and has failed to take precautions. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. 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. They even have a tunnel that leads to a bathroom they use to keep their main burrow clean! I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. 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. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. If you plan on using repellents, ensure there is an exit route for the groundhogs to follow out of your yard. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. We are getting a muzzle for him an going to work on positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work through it. 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. Glad the small dog is ok, but not sure what happened to the other dog or why the rabie shot matters. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. You may have just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that. 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. 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. No need to worry about your furry family member. 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. The man was trying to get him to stop. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. 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. 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. 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. If your dog is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel. 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 Or perhaps spayed/neutered? They are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, and selective fruits. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. After wrapping the bite, seek medical attention. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. Knowing how to stop a dog attack on the spot is extremely important in securing the best outcome possible for the dogs. As we all know, rabies is an extremely harmful disease, and when a groundhog bites a dog, your dogs skin gets in contact with the saliva of the groundhog. Beavers are not dangerous if left alone. Certain dog breeds are more prone to chasing small animals (terriers and hounds, for example). 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. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. 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. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. Has there been any change in their diet or environment? Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. 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. 1. 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. Thank you for reading our article. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. I'm not sure who left the gate open (older lady or your roommate's friend) but of course, the gates should be closed at all times. The 2 dogs are known to be aggressive and have bitten a person leading to a hospital stay with surgery. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. 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? Ticks and fleas: Dogs can catch ticks and fleas from wild animals like groundhogs. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. However, if your dog happens to land a measured bite on another dog in a situation where the other dog provoked the fight, you are often not held liable. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. 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. This disease is spread through the saliva of an animal. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. 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. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? 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. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). You should not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Most dogs cannot catch a groundhog because of how quick they are, but that doesnt stop them from trying. Add New Sources of Food. Coyotes In general, if you followed all of the leash laws, your dog is properly registered, up to date on vaccinations, and generally well-behaved you will think that youll not be found liable for a dog attack that your dog did not provoke. However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. This can occur in both humans and animals. 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. Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . Do I HAVE to take him for a checkup? Your dog could be infected with a disease or parasite that was carried by the groundhog. Groundhogs are also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to your dog through a bite. If so, then youve come to the right place. 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. Is it normal for a dog to kill a groundhog? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Separate Your Dog From The Carcass. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. After dressing the wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can assess the injury. What to do if your dog is attacked Try to put a barrier between the dogs or distract the attacking dog's attention with something like a stick. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. Toss a . Was one of them a recent addition? These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. 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. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. 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. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. Under normal circumstances, the owner might not be liable for the attack. 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 . Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). 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. 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. My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. 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. Train Her Using a Stuffed Animal. I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. 2. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. Take your time and evaluate if its really necessary to report. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. Expert's Assistant chat. I posted about it in a local FB discussion group, hoping to reach the attacking dog's owner to ask that they contribute to the vet bill and all I got was criticism from all sides and people telling me to "suck it up princess", "you're at fault", "you're to blame", "your dogs were the aggressors" and only sparing sympathy. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. 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. Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. I suggest doing so by carefully approaching your dog using a calm voice, averting your gaze, and turning your body away from her. Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. Some terrific groundhog repellents include epsom salt, ammonia, talcum powder, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Skunk. Rat. 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. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. 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. Freezing. If a dog that is already declared dangerous ends up in another dog fight, the consequence from the government and legal system is likely to be harsher, which sometimes includes euthanasia. Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If you do get bit, wash the wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention. 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). Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar couldn't get up an walk on his own without help for,48hrs +). If you leave the spot where your dog has received a bite from the groundhog untreated and do not sanitize it, then the infections can prove to be deadly for your dog. As well as training, feeding and caring for your four-legged family member, dog ownership involves much more than handling their day to day needs . Certain lines of breeds whose terrible breeders foster and feed traits such as aggression do exist too. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? 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. 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). What should you do if a dog attacks you? There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. Rabies is fatal if left untreated. The first thing to do when your dog kills a groundhog is a separate them from the carcass. A groundhog is a rodent but is much larger than a mouse or even some rats. 16) Stick your fingers down your dog's throat to discourage nipping. It's essential to document everything, so take pictures of the dog and the area. My Dog Died and I Feel Empty. Stay calm. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. I'm really sorry all that happened, it's a difficult situation if your dog is attacked, even more so if it's on your own property and your dog is cornered. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. But oftentimes there have been subtle signs prior to the attack. Depending on your local law, you shouldnt count on that though, especially if you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. etc. We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? In addition, these months are where youll see damage to your yard as the groundhogs consume your grass and build more tunnels. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. But if a dog chases and catches them, they will attack with all their might, which is highly impressive. If not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. Customer: my dog was bitten by a groundhog in virginia, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? Distract your dog from a distance. 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. The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? Allow her to come to you if she isn't tied or in a kennel. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. There are no breeds inherently predisposed to biting. 2. 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. 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. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? 10. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. Not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional can assess the.. 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