and our If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. Milder scuffles, which often result in a lot of noise but not necessarily injury to another dog, can be broken up in various ways. I suggest doing so by carefully approaching your dog using a calm voice, averting your gaze, and turning your body away from her. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. Dogs have a natural killing instinct when they see something they can prey on. Avoid kicking the attacking dog or grabbing any dog by the collar or scruff as the inflicted pain often escalates the situation, pushing the dogs to bite even harder. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. 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. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. 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. This means if you click on the link and purchase this item or service, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. 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. 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. 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. 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. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. The answer is that you should be worried if your dog killed a groundhog. 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). Destructive behaviors. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. Unfortunately the state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans) that gives the dogs another chance. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. If you live in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in your backyard, you most likely have groundhogs. The local authorities will need to contact the pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated. 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. Rather, aggression is a combination of genetics, upbringing, and environment. 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. 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 . Groundhogs will birth 4-6 babies in their burrows in the spring. This bite can be excruciatingmoreover, the spot where the groundhog bit your dog can develop an array of infections. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. Instead, using repellents to direct the groundhogs back into the woods is a preferred method for the whole neighborhood. While its a scary event to witness a dog fight, it often feels even worse when its your own dog that attacked another dog. Another thing is possible disease. A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? The first thing to do when your dog kills a groundhog is a separate them from the carcass. There are no breeds inherently predisposed to biting. The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. 5. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. It could be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding. Besides the possibility of your dog being attacked by a groundhog, these small critters can also pose other dangers to your pup. They are actually quite common across America and they can also snatch a dog. Privacy Policy. 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. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. 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. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). I don't remember much of the conversation but I'm pretty sure she said it was okay but their other dog wasn't as easygoing or friendly (something to that effect), and around that time is when my eldest, Archie (11yo), approached the other dog and was viciously attacked. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. 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. Eventually she went in and killed it Certain dog breeds are more prone to chasing small animals (terriers and hounds, for example). 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 got scratched in the face, but I'm just worried now about rabies. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. She was outside, and the groundhog was rather territorial and chased the woman into her car. 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. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. 8. In the Cut. Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). Ground Hog. It's essential to document everything, so take pictures of the dog and the area. Some animals get along despite their species differences. Groundhogs do not typically chase after and attack dogs. 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. Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. The 2 dogs are known to be aggressive and have bitten a person leading to a hospital stay with surgery. While these animals aren't likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. 1. Not only is it important for your own dog, so that they never have to suffer the trauma of an attack by that dog again, but its important to keep other dogs and their owners safe as well. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. Add New Sources of Food. 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. Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. Press J to jump to the feed. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Your dog could be infected with a disease or parasite that was carried by the groundhog. Has your dog eaten a groundhog? Fencing. 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. The chances are your dog will not get rabies from a groundhog. You can use a cage or humane trap to catch the groundhog, then release them far away from your neighborhood. These are rodents that have large front teeth, which are used to cause damage to wood and other materials. 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. You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. Skunk. 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 Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. 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