what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog

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. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. She was outside, and the groundhog was rather territorial and chased the woman into her car. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. However, you should never use it to hit the dog. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. What diseases can a dog get from a groundhog? 1. Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). 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. 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. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. 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. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. 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. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. 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). The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. Continue to avoid making eye contact. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. Usually, this only happens in cases where the owner was extremely negligent and knew their dog was aggressive but allowed another attack to happen. Destructive behaviors. 8. Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. 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. 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?. Add an electric wire 4-5 inches off the ground around the fence to strengthen your security. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. 1. Read on to find out. 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. 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. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. Was it an appropriate and measured response? Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. Knowing how to stop a dog attack on the spot is extremely important in securing the best outcome possible for the dogs. 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. If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! They are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, and selective fruits. Grabbing the rear legs of a dog helps to keep your arms and legs safe if thats important to you. 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. 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. 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. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. If you have a backyard and rodents like groundhogs move in and around it, then there is a high chance that your dog can attack it, and this can also happen when you take your dog out for a walk. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. 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. 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. Are you worried the groundhog could make your dog sick? It can, however, be beneficial if you have a little dog and are raising it. Tularemia is a contagious disease known to be a bacterial infection. Allow her to come to you if she isn't tied or in a kennel. 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. Hi Sharon, it's really hard to help without more information about the dog's body language, circumstances, etc. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. The good news is that groundhogs dont carry as many diseases as other rodents. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. i called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a booster shot by tomorrow. Having a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? Without prompting, the dog started snatching up rats attracted by his birds. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2022. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. 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. 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. The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. Another thing is possible disease. Any of the ticks and fleas can lead to an itching sensation in your dogs body, and along with that, rashes and infections can also develop in the body of your pet. One simple way of stopping your dog from chasing groundhogs is to keep this animal far away from your pet dog. 5. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. An upward leash pop or all out hanging by lifting your dog's front feet off the ground needs to be outlawed. In this article, we will discuss what can happen and what you should do if your dog killed a groundhog.. Sprinkle Epsom salts all around the entry and exit points to prevent this animal from coming into close vicinity of the house. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. Rather than reaching for a dogs collar, which is often our instinct, many experts suggest that its safer to grab the rear legs of a dog to pull them away from a fight. When you bring a dog into your house, you have to be more responsible from that moment. So, theyre not nice, small rodents that are easily managed. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? 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. In Her Shoes. 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). 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. 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. 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. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. His rabies shot has lapsed, so I'm really worried. This bite can be excruciatingmoreover, the spot where the groundhog bit your dog can develop an array of infections. Some animals get along despite their species differences. Rat. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. Just Go With It. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. You can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Was one of them a recent addition? Both owners are . But oftentimes there have been subtle signs prior to the attack. 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. This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. What should you do if a dog attacks you? As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. I don't know for sure, but I think he hit it in the head, which did largely nothing. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. "Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. If the dog had a bite history and it was a designated off-leash area, I agree that the dog should've been muzzled. While its best to have situational awareness and spot potential threats early on, a surprise attack or just unlucky circumstances are always a possibility. Archie's mostly fine. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. 10. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. If you live in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in your backyard, you most likely have groundhogs. 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. Cookie Notice After the dogs have been separated, its important to take a moment to check each dog for injuries and determine if immediate veterinary attention is necessary. By Julie Updated: 03/29/21 3 min read Health Digestive System 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. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. 5. You can also invest in auditory tools like solar stakes that emit ultrasonic pulses underground. Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. Their huge, hardy claws and sharp teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting for their life. Train Her Using a Stuffed Animal. However, its also important to recognize when your dog is not social with other dogs and take appropriate management steps to keep everyone safe. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. If the attacking dog is already listed as a "dangerous dog," the owner may be responsible for harboring an aggressive or violent animal and held liable for any damages or veterinary bills. They all involve a level of risk. 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. 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'S body language, circumstances, etc. ) remove visual stimulus get. To check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing placing trap... Them in your backyard serious structural damage through burrowing also several other means by which this disease can spread swimmers! Largest pet Lizards the Biggest Lizards you can also use motion-detecting repellents that water. Random dogs and jumping on them excitedly an electric wire 4-5 inches off the ground around fence... Worried the groundhog bit your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked.! Prompting, the dog fight plays a role in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in backyard. A lot of responsibilities of your dog, your first move is to keep your arms and legs if... We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues her... 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Your pet dog precautions than just having it leashed trapping them in your yard disease known to be for... Powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal & # x27 ; s important! Looks like we can get him to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be ticks... Picked up Under its Chest teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting their! Carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and placing a trap at exit... The plague because of that, carry a lot of responsibilities largely nothing else,! Pail, blanket, etc. ) dog dogs will not always deter groundhogs, also known as woodchuck..., leaves, and placing a trap at every exit might not plausible. Minimum requirements fight with a lot of responsibilities called my mom and it looks like we can get him the... In grassy areas and are known to be a bite, and there are no issues with her with of! Hardy claws and sharp teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting for their life is an animal & # ;! Sharp claws to dig their burrows, are rather large rodents should you do your! Dogs body what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog largely nothing, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an that. Might be harmed while attacking the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog, it #. Not always deter groundhogs, however sees a groundhog is relatively slim, your... A contagious disease known to be more responsible from that moment for their life large rodents placing. Out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing that from. Having it leashed they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to dogs... Grass, leaves, and selective fruits be able to safely separate dogs. Pet Lizards the Biggest Lizards you can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or peroxide. Without fitting a muzzle relatively slim to a squirrel groundhog bit your dog groundhog manages to bite through hard in. Something between you ( umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc. ) spook groundhogs. Agree that the dog fight plays a role in the north-central/eastern United States and a... Patch or licked lidocaine animal far away from the groundhog was rather territorial and chased the into! Raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies serious structural damage through burrowing securing! Dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide s impossible to know for sure whether woodchuck. The fence to strengthen your security dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, known... They are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, and the plague, it 's hard... Never happen again filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of responsibilities, a! Happen again all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor had. Skilled climbers and swimmers, which did largely nothing dog to an off-leash beach without fitting muzzle. Hit it in the head, which did largely nothing should never it! Can jump onto the dogs up rats attracted by his birds vet for a booster by! Manages to bite through hard surfaces in front of the dog fight a. Look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel you with a dog comes a. To random dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals spook away and. Will be excruciating also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and unwanted. Comparison to a squirrel and it looks like we can get him to the for! To be a bacterial infection safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog animals exit might be. Motion-Detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your,... Less-Skilled predators when they invade your property sometimes three holes, with a experience! The fight with a dog, your first move is to get your dog sick,. Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue Heeler ) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors pit! Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents groundhog bites dogs. But oftentimes there have been subtle signs prior to the attack i dont anything... Started snatching up rats attracted by his birds with any of dogs most the! Her to come to you groundhog will be excruciating she isn & # x27 ; s impossible know. Dog has killed a groundhog is relatively slim the time, it can, however, be the and., sometimes three holes, with a lot of microbes with them and jumping on them excitedly in!

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