If your cat has access to grounds where a forest and a field meet, there's a higher change they'll encounter a groundhog. If you have control over your dog and have trained them well, only then try to stop him from fighting the groundhog. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. Nuts- Shagbark, hickory, acorns (nut of oaks and contains seeds). Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? The first is to grab a leash . If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. When a dog bite is reported, statements are often taken by both parties (and sometimes, witnesses) to get an accurate picture of what happened. 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. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. 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. No one wants a groundhog around their house. 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. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. Nothing happened. Milder scuffles, which often result in a lot of noise but not necessarily injury to another dog, can be broken up in various ways. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. Trembling. If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. Little dog had surgery is OK. If your dog finally manages to win the fight with a groundhog and kills it, then there is a huge possibility that your pet might have eaten it as well. 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. When this animal has gone searching for food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs burrows. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. They are usually harmless, but they can be aggressive if they are attacked. Sometimes, reporting the dog bite will serve as a fair warning to the dogs owner that they need to take better steps to control their dogs behavior and keep everyone safe. You can use shrubs and trees to prevent early nesters from moving in. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). Roundworms: which can be caught if a dog eats a dead woodchuck. My Dog Died and I Feel Empty. Unprovoked aggression is scary to witness in dogs. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). Rather than risk your dog being taken away from you or euthanized due to their aggression, its extremely important to be a responsible dog owner and manage your dogs behavior upfront by consulting an expert and wearing a muzzle. Privacy Policy. 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. You may have just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs," are a type of mammal called a marmot, a member of the squirrel family. Groundhogs may be attracted to your yard if there are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. 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. A big dog will kill a groundhog, and a small dog probably wouldn't get close . Groundhogs will only become aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. When he met the cat, he had the same body language and was trying to smell it as well. 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. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. Rat. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. This can occur in both humans and animals. 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. i called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a booster shot by tomorrow. His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. When others came to try to help her, the groundhog turned on them, too! 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. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Use of Epsom Salt: Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground by making holes in the ground. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. As ever, prevention is the best way to stop groundhog attacks, so stay vigilant while your kitty is outside. How did your dog behave? 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 the handbag doesn't keep the dog from attacking, use pepper spray, if you have it on hand during an attack to avoid injury. Copy. What to do if your dog attacks another dog It's easy to feel powerless or embarrassed if your dog has become aggressive, but here are a couple of things you can do to help. Lets get started! Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. The short answer is YES, you should. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. However, let's talk about dog attacks. You'll want to keep your dog up to date on the lepto shot too if it's an issue in your area since wildlife carries this. | 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. Unfortunately the state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans) that gives the dogs another chance. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Wax Paper? As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. So, if you have a large-sized aggressive dog, then it is completely natural for your dog to kill a groundhog. What I'm about to say is just my personal opinion, I'm not a lawyer and you'd need to consult one for this. Another problem is that the groundhog could have been poisoned. Cougars & Mountain Lions. Beavers carry tularemia, parasites, and rabies, which can transfer through bites, body fluids, or infected water. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. There are several things you can do to stop a dog attack on a cat, other animal or person. However, they will stand their ground and confront a threat. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. 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. 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. But oftentimes there have been subtle signs prior to the attack. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. In fall, groundhogs also eat roots, leaves, barks, and twigs of trees as plants become scarce though they prefer plants and vegetables. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . If your dog attacks a guest or stranger, homeowners insurance can potentially cover legal and medical expenses arising from the attack, but coverage is generally going to depend on the specifics of your policy . They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. Drooling. Once your pet calms down, take your pet far away from the dead groundhog. As we have already mentioned, groundhogs can transmit diseases such as rabies tularemia, and symptoms like insomnia, and hallucination can develop in your dog. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your 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. What if your breed falls under breed-specific legislation? This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? Constant vocalization and barking. 10. If you know that in your area, aggressive unleashed dogs might come around the corner at all times, leash your dog and check out various dog repellents to avoid the worst case. Instead, they simply deter them from staying. Aggression and biting. 9. It depends on a lot of factors that make prediction hard. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. 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. 10. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. 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. But what happens if they do get into a showdown? If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. Snakebites . Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. 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. This is what I really dont understand. It's always when he is laying down/asleep, I believe it's scaring him not knowing who is close and he is afraid. 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). If your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. Lets cover how to stop a dog attack, as well as how to handle the aftermath no matter if your dog was the aggressor or the one being attacked. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. However, they will most likely be able to dig it out again. Items like pinwheels can keep groundhogs away for a short time. Other Groundhog-Related Risks To Your Dog. You can always try filing a claim but your neighbor might end up fighting it and I'm not sure what your options are or if you have any financial aid. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? 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. Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. 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. Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. In most cases, groundhogs carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, transmitting to the dogs body during the attack. Whether or not your dog has been involved in other fights, if both owners were following local laws, and other aspects of the situation do play a role, though. She screamed at me to get my other dog away, (I was trying to put Archie on the lead at the time and Beau (my 3 yo) was getting too close. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. What Is Wrong? Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. 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. As with humans, our adrenaline can keep us going to the point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations. They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. You should not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. 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. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Many people respond back with its OK my dog is friendly! If you find yourself in this situation, a simple my dog isnt! usually gets the point across. But if a dog chases and catches them, they will attack with all their might, which is highly impressive. It could be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. 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To ensure they never happen again an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part conversations. Met the cat, other animal or person what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog serious structural damage through burrowing attack with all their might which! Be caught if a dog is friendly worried should I do scaring him not knowing who is exactly that aggressive! Cat as well, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and even the plague if you read.