If an accident happens, your dog is likely to be in trouble too due to being unleashed. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. In fact, if you also have cats, it's a known deterrent to sprinkle soiled cat litter in their burrows. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. 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. 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. If you plan on using repellents, ensure there is an exit route for the groundhogs to follow out of your yard. Privacy Policy. Another thing is possible disease. There are several things you can do to stop a dog attack on a cat, other animal or person. What should you do if your dog attacks a 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. 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. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. 1. If you decide to take an owner to court over medical bills or the cost of your dog, having a police report on file will also help provide important evidence during your case. 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. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. But they wake up early for love. 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. The local authorities will need to contact the pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated. 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. and our Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? While rare, the effects of this disease can be serious. 2. If your cat has access to grounds where a forest and a field meet, there's a higher change they'll encounter a groundhog. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). Once the fight is over, do a health inspection of your dog and if you notice something unusual, take your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic. If trapped or cornered, a beaver will attack a human. However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. If the attacking dog is listed as "dangerous" and your dog has to be put down, the owner may be held responsible for the original amount you paid for your dog. Their huge, hardy claws and sharp teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting for their life. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. Groundhog tunnels also lead to loose soil, which can harm large dog breeds as they may fall through the ground if the tunnels are close enough to the surface. Your dog could be infected with a disease or parasite that was carried by the groundhog. 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. Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. What happens to that dog from now and the reimbursement of your vet bills really depends on your local law. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. The first time ended well and the other dog was calm throughout and I moved further away down the beach. They all involve a level of risk. What should you do if a dog attacks you? Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. However, its also important to recognize when your dog is not social with other dogs and take appropriate management steps to keep everyone safe. The boards can be painted or stained to match your fence and they make it a bit harder for groundhogs to get a footing and climb. Any advice on helping his recovery an of its worth trying to get reimbursed for the vet bills? Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. Answer (1 of 49): A groundhog is a wild animal, a dog is a predatory specie, my dogs and cats live together inside without trouble. Aggression and biting. In Her Shoes. It can be very disturbing if your dog gets bitten by another dog. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thepupcrawl_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-medrectangle-3-0'); For the first few weeks, you have to monitor every single movement of your dog. Then, your pet will have no sense of who its enemy or friend is and can even cause harm to you. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. 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). Then, if possible, gently wash and disinfect the bite site to help stop the infection from setting in. Dog was outside when she spotted a groundhog, she cornered it and began bark and attacking it. Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. No need to worry about your furry family member. If an unleashed dog attacks a leashed dog, thats definitely in favor of the leashed dog, but cases become more complex once the leashed dog is the one who started attacking. You can use a cage or humane trap to catch the groundhog, then release them far away from your neighborhood. He has tried to run off sometimes before, chasing after cats and sometimes birds, and I am not always successful in holding him back. If you know that your dog is a potential risk to other dogs, there are several pieces of management that you can use to protect your dog and others. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel. 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. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. A Guide to Pet-Friendly Retailers (2022). 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. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. 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. Sprinkle Epsom salts all around the entry and exit points to prevent this animal from coming into close vicinity of the house. When this animal has gone searching for food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs burrows. You can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These are rodents that have large front teeth, which are used to cause damage to wood and other materials. In this article, we will discuss what can happen and what you should do if your dog killed a groundhog.. 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 . 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. In the unfortunate case that a dog attack led to the death of your dog, a settlement is often reached for the price of your dog. Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Without prompting, the dog started snatching up rats attracted by his birds. He lives around neighborhood cats and I really dont want to risk it. 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. Primarily herbivores, they will occasionally eat smaller rodents and insects. 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. 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. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. Gross, ridiculous and terrifying for your dog. Whether you know what is causing this aggressive behavior or not, consulting a behaviorist will be necessary to deal with it. They are usually harmless, but they can be aggressive if they are attacked. Hi there. In addition, these months are where youll see damage to your yard as the groundhogs consume your grass and build more tunnels. You should not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. Are you worried the groundhog could make your dog sick? If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. If you see the dog owner, dont be afraid to ask them to leash their dog. Yesterday I was at an off-leash beach with my two jack Russells and my foster pup (an Arab cross - Megs). Face the dog and command, "back away." If the dog continues to behave aggressively, and ignoring or pacifying him is no longer working, face him and sternly command him to leave. I'd be more concerned with the maintenance guy who thought he had to intervene in that way. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. For more information, please see our 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. But oftentimes there have been subtle signs prior to the attack. Typically groundhogs avoid confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are instances where a groundhog fights back. As responsible owners, its our job to be physically and mentally prepared for these situations and at least try our best. 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. None. One of the most important tools to consider in managing a dog that has the potential to bite is a muzzle. We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Shouldn't the owner, knowing their dog is reactive have taken more precautions than just having it leashed? It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. Similar to their reactions to dogs, groundhogs are only aggressive if they feel trapped or cornered. 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. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. It depends on a lot of factors that make prediction hard. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. Customer: my dog was bitten by a groundhog in virginia, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. Roundworms: which can be caught if a dog eats a dead woodchuck. I don't know for sure, but I think he hit it in the head, which did largely nothing. Was it an appropriate and measured response? 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. Fetch Machines for Fetch Machines! Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. 10. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. 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 That being said, how lapsed is lapsed? But what happens if they do get into a showdown? Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. Snakebites . I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. If so, then youve come to the right place. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten groundhog poop and is showing signs of being ill, then it's best to call the vet. 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 . His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. 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. Panicking can only exasperate the. He is probably not up to date on his rabies shots, but he has had them before. Pouring Castor Oil: Another way to keep the groundhogs away from your pet is to destroy the places where these animals live. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. Thank you very much if anyone sees and responds to this. Groundhogs will only become aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves. 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. My Dog Killed a Groundhog Should I Be Worried? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs," are a type of mammal called a marmot, a member of the squirrel family. Lidocaine patches are fairly common in households. Dont just choke the dog since thatll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to quickly end the fight and avoid damage to the dogs throat if possible. Should I Be Worried? 10. 2. In fall, groundhogs also eat roots, leaves, barks, and twigs of trees as plants become scarce though they prefer plants and vegetables. This can occur in both humans and animals. Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. 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