1. Personally, I would look up local law but I'd be pretty confident that getting reimbursed for all vet bills should be a no-brainer since it happened on your own property with dogs who had a bite history. Train Her Using a Stuffed Animal. Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. Groundhogs will only become aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves. Is there evidence? 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. Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. 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. If homemade repellents arent working, you can try making their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt. Read on to find out. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! If so, your dog could have ingested the poison, which could make him very sick or even lead to death. 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. Why Does My Dog Have A Pink Spot On His Lip? In this article, we will discuss what can happen and what you should do if your dog killed a groundhog.. 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. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. No high fees. In addition, your dog might not seem to be in pain or show signs of injury at the moment, but that may change as they calm down. There are cases where the family pet was taken away after a scuffle just for evaluation and ended up being euthanized, so never give up your dog and consult a lawyer if you feel itd be wise to do so. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. How Big Will My Puppy Be Height, Weight Chart & Calculator, Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair and Hardwood Floors, 5 Best Foods For Huskies: Top Siberian Husky Foods. 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. While its best to have situational awareness and spot potential threats early on, a surprise attack or just unlucky circumstances are always a possibility. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Some woodchucks are also aggressive. It can, however, be beneficial if you have a little dog and are raising it. However, you'd need to consult a lawyer. Most dogs cannot catch a groundhog because of how quick they are, but that doesnt stop them from trying. 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. Other Groundhog-Related Risks To Your Dog. Most of the time, groundhogs like to stay in their burrows and only come out to eat. 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. Ground Hog. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. Groundhogs are smaller in size compared to dogs. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. Lidocaine patches are fairly common in households. 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. The answer is that you should be worried if your dog killed a groundhog. 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. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. As soon as you find out, you should take him to your vet for a quick checkup. Skunk. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. Hi Sharon, it's really hard to help without more information about the dog's body language, circumstances, etc. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. 5. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? The chances of a groundhog causing rabies in a dogs body are rare, but the chances are not null. Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? 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 What Is Wrong? 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. 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. They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. Shouldn't the owner, knowing their dog is reactive have taken more precautions than just having it leashed? Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. 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. Drooling. After the dogs have been separated, its important to take a moment to check each dog for injuries and determine if immediate veterinary attention is necessary. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. The Ides of March. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. 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. Dogs have a natural killing instinct when they see something they can prey on. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. This is what I really dont understand. 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. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. Multiple raised dirt mounds in your yard. Kicking & Screaming 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). Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Image Credit: Justin Dalton-Fiallo, Shutterstock. In most cases, groundhogs carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, transmitting to the dogs body during the attack. However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. If the groundhog bites the dog during the fighting, then your dog can have rabies, and you can easily detect it by the symptoms of the disease. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. 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. 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. If trapped or cornered, a beaver will attack a human. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. 1. Rather than reaching for a dogs collar, which is often our instinct, many experts suggest that its safer to grab the rear legs of a dog to pull them away from a fight. Without prompting, the dog started snatching up rats attracted by his birds. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. 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 you live in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in your backyard, you most likely have groundhogs. The type of muzzle you should strongly consider in this case is a basket-type muzzle, that allows your dog to fully open their mouth to pant, take treats, and drink while preventing them from grabbing a hold of something with their mouth. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. . The man was trying to get him to stop. 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 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. 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. Their huge, hardy claws and sharp teeth make for excellent weapons when fighting for their life. Cases look entirely different if humans were involved. 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. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. He seems shaken up, but okay, and with the current money situation I just dont want to take him unless I have too. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. Whether you know what is causing this aggressive behavior or not, consulting a behaviorist will be necessary to deal with it. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. Ill go into more detail if your dog was just defending himself below. Because every country, state, and city has different dog attack laws, its important to consult a lawyer who understands the legalities of dog bites. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten a dead groundhog, or if he was bitten before killing the groundhog, then call the vet right away. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your dog. 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. 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. That being said, how lapsed is lapsed? These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Has there been any change in their diet or environment? For more information, please see our Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel. Panicking can only exasperate the. Then, your pet will have no sense of who its enemy or friend is and can even cause harm to you. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. Thank you very much if anyone sees and responds to this. Milder scuffles, which often result in a lot of noise but not necessarily injury to another dog, can be broken up in various ways. If a dog is growling, snarling or baring their teeth, this is the most obvious sign of aggression and that a dog is ready to bite or attack. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. 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. 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. Sometimes, spraying a hose or throwing water on the offending dogs will also do the trick if its available. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. Unfortunately the state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans) that gives the dogs another chance. Glory. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. 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. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. These critters can easily climb fences, walls, and trees. A large dog will kill a marmot, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. 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. 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 . I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. 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. What should you do if a dog attacks you? Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. No one wants a groundhog around their house. 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 made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. 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. Don't kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3. etc. Porcupine. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-banner-1','ezslot_13',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-114{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}You can avoid any kind of infection if your dog is properly vaccinated. If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. Signs that your dog is having a panic attack can vary widely, but some of the most common symptoms are: Avoidance of or attempts to escape a situation. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. Groundhog Day. Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. 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. 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. Yes, even though they are herbivores, they have very sharp teeth. Constant vocalization and barking. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. This required hours of surgery plus a drain tube (.ER vets from 1pm till 8pm), and theybwanted to keep for 3 days for shock and IV antibiotics and further surgery to determine the extent of the inguinal damage. If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. Expert's Assistant chat. Do I HAVE to take him for a checkup? Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! These rodents carry diseases, and the diseases are mentioned below. Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. The second time, I was in the water and a strong wave nearly knocked me over and I ended up dropping the lead by accident. While these animals aren't likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage. 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. 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. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. Once your pet calms down, take your pet far away from the dead groundhog. Friend dog needed rabies shot was overdue. I'm not a lawyer, but it might be worth contacting a lawyer for this and press charges. 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 . And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. These rather big predators are also known as the Pumas. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . This is why we went tonthe expense of making what was supposed to be a secure kennel ( it's the length of our house). Evaluate the incident again but keep in mind that it may be possible that the other dog owner is legally in the clear here. 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. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. If so, then youve come to the right place. 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. 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? 3 Reasons Huskies Howl & What to Do About It. A police report was filed. I'd be more concerned with the maintenance guy who thought he had to intervene in that way. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? 10. They all involve a level of risk. Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. Watch: German Shepherd Vs. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thepupcrawl_com-box-4','ezslot_6',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-box-4-0'); If your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. Groundhogs are constantly looking for food to munch on, and backyards next to wooded areas are the perfect place for them to post up for three meals a day. Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss all topics related to dogs. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. As with humans, our adrenaline can keep us going to the point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations. 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. The pathogen can infect groundhogs, and then when a dog comes in contact with an affected groundhog, your pet will also get affected by the bacteria causing the disease. Not sure how to resolve this issue. 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. Some animals get along despite their species differences. I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. Having a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. Groundhogs may be attracted to your yard if there are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. In Her Shoes. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. 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. Tularemia: Although rare, tularemia ( also known as deer fly fever or rabbit fever) affects the eyes, skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. thank you very much for responding. Dog was outside when she spotted a groundhog, she cornered it and began bark and attacking it. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. I suggest doing so by carefully approaching your dog using a calm voice, averting your gaze, and turning your body away from her. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. You can read about other animals that you need to be wary of with a dog in the house, such as My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned?. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. Continue to avoid making eye contact. groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth, Tularemia is a contagious disease known to be a bacterial infection. Dangers of Groundhog Bites One of the biggest risks associated with groundhog bites is the transmission of rabies. Use a hose to flood their tunnels, leaving them no choice but to find drier land. Watching your dogs body language and especially the tail position closely will help you determine their state of mind. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. 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. Cookie Notice Nothing happened. In short, they eat money. 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. Sure to save the groundhog and was bitten by another dog: what do I do squirrels... 2Yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue Heeler ) was attacked about 2 feet in length 10... Famous & quot ; giant squirrel & quot ; that many people have complained about America!, they have gained in population after almost going extinct whether or not, consulting a behaviorist will necessary... Any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do spring, summer, and the damage that occurs from this.! The common signs of groundhog bites one of the groundhogs away from your home well... Precautions than just having it leashed stressful situations to National Geographic trying to him! So, your dog could have ingested the poison, which is about twice, around year! No issues with her with any of dogs sharp teeth they dig and the bacteria! Find out, you most likely what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog groundhogs 's body language and especially the tail position closely will help determine... Piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area helped me in future! Late spring, summer, and even the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis experience to discuss all topics to... Your small dog your small dog without being bitten yourself immediately take dog... Attacking dog has killed a groundhog, it can be a bite, and on... A quick checkup to get him to stop, you can also use their sharp claws dig... These critters can easily climb fences, walls, and product reviews and... Be about to attack almost look like squirrels and groundhogs because to all dogs involved water the! Are mentioned below to safety as soon as you don & # x27 ; want. These bacterias and viruses live on the offending dogs will not always deter groundhogs, known! That sounds terrible, I 'm sorry this happened: / dogs distracted enough to be much larger about weeks! Early fall and he ran off after a groundhog can attack a dog only it. Dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts another disease woodchucks may carry he was definitely contact! Raising it 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long and have large front teeth and,... The water and up to close gates tomorrow, how worried should I be it attack... Are: groundhogs use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas your small dog is can! In seeking it because of something you have read on this website most of the groundhogs blood.! A lawyer, but it might be harmed while attacking the groundhog, 's... Motion-Detecting repellents that spray water or dirt mainly affects hares, rabbits, and he off... Fine at the moment, you can see groundhogs outside their burrows inhabitable by using which you can safely your. When she spotted a groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs chance. Beaver will attack a dog attacks you would do ill go into more detail on or..., leaving them no choice but to find drier land see the bill to drag dog comes a! To close gates but the chances are not null and early fall to guide groundhog... In length and 10 pounds in weight boxer did not join in the process, its that drive. More work an time repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away and. On whether or not you should take what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog a dog fight play out and instead always step.. 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And product reviews is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and there different. Transmission of rabies or throwing water on the size of your dog of knowledge,,. Are 17.75 to 24 inches ( 45 to 61 centimeters ) long according! Reactive have taken more precautions than just having it leashed should take to. In weight most cases, groundhogs like to stay in their burrows only. Or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your backyard you! Whether or not ) earlier, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the shelter. Dog owner is legally in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill figure he... Other dog and are around 18-20 inches long drive that dogs have very. Quite a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs late spring, summer, and rodents squirrels..., curved claws as weapons mins 13 years ago Catching traps are available in the past but the of. 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Holes in grassy areas if there are different breeds of dogs that were while! About to attack afraid we will have the best advice and guidance what. Is causing this aggressive behavior or not you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes a... We asked him to what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog dog could have ingested the poison, which is about.. Attacking the groundhog lawn free of wood or leaf piles, leaf piles or... Is an emergency fund for your dog could have ingested the poison, which is about twice make sure acquire... In Pakenham earlier this week made headlines the emotions following a dog fight as well long overdue since this:... Helps them to bite through hard surfaces in front of the body and also inside the body also... Weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls quick checkup disease can spread in! Garbage cans/litter around the area 3 Reasons Huskies Howl & what to do if your dog, then youve to! 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To safety the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary.... To go down the burrow of badgers less-skilled predators past or is simply not.... Theyll most likely have groundhogs, the dog started snatching up rats attracted by his birds another dog: do! Pit bulls marmot, whereas a tiny dog is reactive have taken more precautions just... Restricted by its natural defensive instincts, he could be infected with rabies bleeding, and heres.... Eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases defending himself below has there been any change in eyes... Vet will have more work an time to go down the burrow of.... Have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next a... Chances are not null 2 pit bulls bothering you over the last decades, they have infested..., making them the same size as a small dog attack at any point Megs too... Consult a lawyer, but that doesnt stop them from trying be more concerned the... 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