I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. 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. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. If you are not physically able to break up the dog fight, or if getting involved would put you at risk of injury, it may be a tough call for you and its true that these fights often sound worse than they are. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. However, if your dog manages to corner or trap a groundhog, they will most likely fight back. I think that I should look into how to better control and handle him if something like this should ever happen again, but also, Im just not sure if I should take that chance? Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. I'm not a lawyer, but it might be worth contacting a lawyer for this and press charges. The groundhog is a member of the marmot family which are essentially ground dwelling squirrels. At the end of each tunnel, the groundhog will dig upward horizontally for 15-25 feet, preventing the tunnels from flooding during heavy rain. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? In Her Shoes. However, they will stand their ground and confront a threat. The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. He seems shaken up, but okay, and with the current money situation I just dont want to take him unless I have too. They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! The 2 dogs dug into our yard into our dog kennel ( chain link on thier side with privacy fence and decking boards across the bottom, on ourside)outside. Groundhog bites can be deep enough to require stitches, and groundhogs often carry the rabies virus, so your dog will need a vaccination to prevent the spread. Evaluate the incident again but keep in mind that it may be possible that the other dog owner is legally in the clear here. After dressing the wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can assess the injury. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. 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. Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. But they wake up early for love. 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. What should you do if a dog attacks you? 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. Snakebites . If homemade repellents arent working, you can try making their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt. 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. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. No one wants a groundhog around their house. The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. 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. 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. 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. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Just Go With It. Groundhogs can climb and dig, making them a double threat. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. 16) Stick your fingers down your dog's throat to discourage nipping. Trembling. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. 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. Sprinkle Epsom salts all around the entry and exit points to prevent this animal from coming into close vicinity of the house. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. It can be very disturbing if your dog gets bitten by another dog. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. 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. Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. 46 thoughts on " What To Do When A Dog Attacks " Patricia Faber July 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm. 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. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? 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 Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. Dog-on-dog attacks are happening across Melbourne more often than people think. 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. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. However, you should never use it to hit the dog. 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. 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. Gross, ridiculous and terrifying for your dog. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. 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. He is probably not up to date on his rabies shots, but he has had them before. 10. This is what I really dont understand. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. Sometimes, spraying a hose or throwing water on the offending dogs will also do the trick if its available. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? Use of Epsom Salt: Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground by making holes in the ground. 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. Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). 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. 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. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). No high fees. In short, they eat money. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Hi there. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. 1. 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. I'm not sure if the complex is liable since it goes without saying that the gate should be closed but perhaps it's a different angle considering it's for disable/mentally challenged people. 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. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". Ill go into more detail if your dog was just defending himself below. Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible 2. Press J to jump to the feed. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. While its a scary event to witness a dog fight, it often feels even worse when its your own dog that attacked another dog. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. 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. 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. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. 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. 10. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. Stay calm. Document the dog's character and the location of the attack if the owner can't be found. My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. These rather big predators are also known as the Pumas. Milder scuffles, which often result in a lot of noise but not necessarily injury to another dog, can be broken up in various ways. 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. Fortunately, dogs will often encourage groundhogs to stay away. Woodchucks occasionally eat meat in the form of birds' eggs, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, and larvae (immature form of insect . Depending on your local law, you shouldnt count on that though, especially if you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal. and our 2. In fact, if you also have cats, it's a known deterrent to sprinkle soiled cat litter in their burrows. Constant vocalization and barking. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. The boxer had my dog by the skin around his ear and wouldn't let go, shaking him periodically. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss all topics related to dogs. If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. 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. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. Little dog had surgery is OK. 8. 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. Use a hose to flood their tunnels, leaving them no choice but to find drier land. 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. Usually, this only happens in cases where the owner was extremely negligent and knew their dog was aggressive but allowed another attack to happen. His rabies shot has lapsed, so I'm really worried. No need to worry about your furry family member. Fencing. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. Image Credit: Justin Dalton-Fiallo, Shutterstock. Urination or defecation. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. The first thing to do when your dog kills a groundhog is a separate them from the carcass. As soon as you find out, you should take him to your vet for a quick checkup. 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 . So, are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? This disease is spread through the saliva of an animal. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. Certain lines of breeds whose terrible breeders foster and feed traits such as aggression do exist too. Groundhogs will birth 4-6 babies in their burrows in the spring. In this article, we will discuss what can happen and what you should do if your dog killed a groundhog.. 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