what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog
Its always wise to leash your own dog. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a member of the squirrel family and are known to be common yard pests. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Items like pinwheels can keep groundhogs away for a short time. Toss a . These rodents carry diseases, and the diseases are mentioned below. What diseases can a dog get from a groundhog? Groundhogs are also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to your dog through a bite. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. Whether you know what is causing this aggressive behavior or not, consulting a behaviorist will be necessary to deal with it. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. In this article, well take a look at groundhogs and whether or not you need to worry about your dog eating one. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. Dogs in the middle of a dog fight dont pay close attention if they are biting the other dog or if they are accidentally biting a human. It's essential to document everything, so take pictures of the dog and the area. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. Skunk. 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. But they wake up early for love. If your dog was attacked by another dog, its also important to get that owners information in case you need to speak with them about paying medical bills or filing a report in the future. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. Get a squeaky toy that looks like a rat or a stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog loves to chase. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. Ice Age: Continental Drift. Lets get started! Constant vocalization and barking. 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. Dead or discolored areas of your yard that follow a specific path (this is most likely the site of the groundhogs tunnel system). Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. After dressing the wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can assess the injury. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. 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. 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. 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. 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 Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. In many places, dogs will be listed as dangerous or another similar designation after the original incident happens. 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. The first time ended well and the other dog was calm throughout and I moved further away down the beach. However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . While we all hope that we dont have to deal with a dog fight during our dogs life, its important to be prepared. 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. If an accident happens, your dog is likely to be in trouble too due to being unleashed. Expert's Assistant chat. When a big dog attacks a small dog, picking them up and shielding them with your arms while turning to one side (avoiding eye contact) and staying calm is the safest way to deal with this situation. Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. 9. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Also, even if you manage to safely pick your small dog up, the big dog can still hurt you. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? But what happens if they do get into a showdown? 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. Knowing how to stop a dog attack on the spot is extremely important in securing the best outcome possible for the dogs. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. How did your dog behave? 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. If your dog killed a groundhog, he might be at risk of getting fleas, roundworms, ticks, rabies, and tularemia, which these rodents carry. 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. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. 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. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. 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. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! The short answer is YES, you should. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. Image Credit: Justin Dalton-Fiallo, Shutterstock. Other names for groundhogs include woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. 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 not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Distract your dog from a distance. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. 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. A loud noise, such as an air horn, can startle many dogs involved in a smaller scuffle for a moment in order to get them to stop so you can intervene. Privacy Policy. Has your dog eaten a groundhog? 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 . Fortunately, dogs will often encourage groundhogs to stay away. 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. Shouldn't the owner, knowing their dog is reactive have taken more precautions than just having it leashed? The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. Any advice on helping his recovery an of its worth trying to get reimbursed for the vet bills? 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. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? When this animal has gone searching for food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs burrows. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. 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. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. 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. 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. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. 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. In short, they eat money. 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 . At the very least, there should be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the head (? If that is not the case, take your dog immediately to a veterinary clinic for vaccination and all the necessary treatments your dog needs after the fight. The man was trying to get him to stop. Has there been any change in their diet or environment? Groundhogs may be attracted to your yard if there are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area. Separate Your Dog From The Carcass. I'm not a lawyer, but it might be worth contacting a lawyer for this and press charges. 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. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. While these animals aren't likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage. Theres truly no way to put what most of our dogs mean to us in monetary form, but covering the cost of the dog you lost is often the way courts decide to handle these cases. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. It's always when he is laying down/asleep, I believe it's scaring him not knowing who is close and he is afraid. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. If you plan on using repellents, ensure there is an exit route for the groundhogs to follow out of your yard. 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. You may be able to inquire with local authorities (perhaps the dog is registrered, etc.). If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (Content) are for informational purposes only. 2. Considering the size of a groundhog compared to that of a large bear, the odds during a bear attack is unfortunately in the bears favour. The Ides of March. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. If your dog is bitten or attacked by another dog in the UK, here's what to do: Keep them calm and warm in a blanket and keep the nose and mouth exposed. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. In case an off-leash dog attacked your dog, you should break up the fight as quickly as possible and evaluate whether or not the dog should have been supposed to be leashed in that area, and then take it from there. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. When your dog is allowed the opportunity to attack another dog, not only do you risk serious injuries or death to the other dog, but the outcome can be devastating for your dog too, if you face legal action. 17) "Pop" your dog's leash or hang him by his collar. This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . None. Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. Its always important to stay calm and assertive in an adrenaline-soaked stand-off. Unprovoked aggression is scary to witness in dogs. 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). Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. In fact, if you also have cats, it's a known deterrent to sprinkle soiled cat litter in their burrows. Pouring Castor Oil: Another way to keep the groundhogs away from your pet is to destroy the places where these animals live. Press J to jump to the feed. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. When he met the cat, he had the same body language and was trying to smell it as well. Dogs have not always been domesticated animals. Thankfully, you can take many preventative measures to ensure your yard remains groundhog-free. 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. Their huge, hardy claws and sharp teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting for their life. 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. Not sure how to resolve this issue. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. 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.