Aggressive Groundhog--Might Have Rabies

[bobbi-j]

Thanks for doing the research, RR. Here in MN, my vet says that skunks, then bats are the highest carriers. Just a couple of days ago, a fox bit two people in a park in Minneapolis. One was just jogging by, another taking a bike off the bike rack of her car. The fox came out of nowhere and latched on to the lady with the bike. She is starting the rabies vaccine series, the fox was caught and has been tested. From the pictures on the news, it looks like the poor thing also was suffering from mange.

I wasn't trying to say that the groundhog didn't have rabies, just that it might be worth considering the fact that it may have felt cornered before chasing the people. Of course you want to keep an eye out for unusual behavior or aggression. Our neighbors had a rabid skunk on their place. Their 5th grade daughter saw it walking around in circles in an old building.

 

[PingoBags]

I had a groundhog next to my run about a month ago. No idea what it was trying to do though. I was crouched down, playing with the birds and heard some leaves rustling. I stood and there was a big fat groundhog looking at me. It just walked off slowly, staring at me.

If I had something like that charge me, I'd probably run too, then have a good laugh over it.

 

[bobbi-j]

I had one run up my leg once... It wasn't rabid, just trying to be someplace else in a hurry.

 

[aart]

Only ones I've had around here, they were living or trying to live under a deck/pond filter, were timid and skittish as heck.
Was hard to get a shot at them, finally flooded them out and shot them when they moved out to the brush pile.
Dog caught and killed a juvenile soon after, surprised them both I think.....
.....instantaneous right place right time, he grabbed/shook/killed it and brought right over to me and dropped it.
Usually he can't see, follow, or catch anything tho he sure smells stuff.

 

[Folly's place]

It would be best to trap and shoot that groundhog, NOT in the head, and have Animal Control or your DNR have it tested for rabies. If the poor guy has a CNS problem causing aggression, it's suffering and best dead. If it does have rabies, it's a danger to everyone and could spread the disease before dying. Mary

 

[lilmillefleur]

thanks guys, animal control came the other day and killed it for us…nobody got bit or anything, so it won't be tested for rabies, plus it would cost the town $65. Animal Control Lady said it was the most crazy thing she had dealt with in her entire 10 year career.

@bobbi-j the groundhog was not cornered, my mom & siblings were actually pretty far from it. it either had some sort of brain damage, brain worms or rabies, but it was definitely crazy!

 

[Folly's place]

Glad the poor guy is gone! Mary

 

[bobbi-j]

thanks guys, animal control came the other day and killed it for us…nobody got bit or anything, so it won't be tested for rabies, plus it would cost the town $65. Animal Control Lady said it was the most crazy thing she had dealt with in her entire 10 year career. 

@bobbi-j
 the groundhog was not cornered, my mom & siblings were actually pretty far from it. it either had some sort of brain damage, brain worms or rabies, but it was definitely crazy!

You made the right decision to get rid of it.