should I be worried?

[tangelo53]

I came home from work on Friday and my husband told me that Abby killed an opposum that came in our yard. I never thought she would have killed anything before....it concerns me. My husband just tells me that is what dogs do but I don't think so. Would she go after another dog if it got into our yard or can she tell the difference in a wild animal and another pet?? My husband went out there and she was obedient. She dropped the animal and went inside, but the fact of the matter is she attacked and killed something....and that makes me a little nervous!

[moondog]

I'd be more worried about any cuts/scrapes she got than her mistaking another dog for an opossum. Opossum bites are dirty bites, so I hope the thing didn't connect.

My dog definitely reacts differently to the smell/sight of an opossum than any other critter she's seen so far. She doesn't bolt after squirrels, cats, small dogs when we are out walking, but ever since she saw that first opossum on the fence one morning, I can tell you EXACTLY which trees an opossum has visited during the night because Chili lights up like a firecracker whenever she picks up their scent.

[AngelBunny]

Normal, healthy animals know their own kind. It's unlikely Abby would go after another dog wandering into her yard.

My youngest girl tries to climb trees after chipmunks and squirrels, and she digs for moles, shrews, and other furry animals. She's killed the ones she's caught.

She doesn't like other dogs, but this hasn't translated into her killing or maiming other dogs.

[rottcrazed]

Never nice to be a witness to, but dogs do have prey drive and will kill smaller animals like rabbits, mice, moles, etc .... it is NATURAL, your husband is right.

I too, would be more concerned about your dog, make sure you thouroughly look her over for bites.

Kristi

[moz205]

My dog killed a skunk in our yard one night. Other than a booster rabies he was fine except of course the stench! I didn't think it would change his demeanor and it didn't. Rommel didn't rip the skunk or even put teeth marks on it from what I saw. I think the poor thing must've just been scared to death. It was not an aggressive killing. He was still fine with any of the dogs he knew. It did not increase his aggression at all. Hubby is right on this one. I too would be concerned about bites your dog received if any.

[Shelby427]

Shelby has caught and killed small moles before, we were not overly concerned, she doesn't even do it in a mean way, I've SEEN her catch a mole and she'll carry it around in her mouth until I can get it away from her, but I think they just die from being carried around and the pressure from her jaw - she didn't rip it apart or anything, after a firm "drop it" command, she dropped it and left it alone...

[molochai2580]

Serena killed a rabbit one winter, was actually eating it as well before I got it away from her. I had some concern with her and the indoor cats, but no problems. Seems she just wanted Rabbit for dinner . She'll also jump up and catch the low flying birds. She seems to hate birds with a passion and will kill any that she can catch, but only in our yard. When on a walk or at the river or park she'll leave them alone. She has no dog aggression or cat aggression, only bird and rabbit agression

[my2boys]

WOW! She catches birds? She must be fast! My guys watch the birds, but the birds don't ever come close. I know that my boys will go after the rabbits and squirrells in our yard, but they haven't gone after any dogs that have wandered in. I don't know what they would do with a cat??
I chase my cat in the house (or could they be herding him??).
I agree with hubby. We don't like to see it, but they are animals.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Normal, healthy animals know their own kind. It's unlikely Abby would go after another dog wandering into her yard.
......
.

Wouldn't count on that. Strange dogs MIGHT bring out more territory aggression than other animals coming into the yard..

[suthernsnail]

i have to agree with skip my previous rotts would have gone after a strange dog in the yrd before a wild furry critter. if both came at the same time the dog would be dead or very injured. the rott i just got i don't know about yet.

[winniecnm]

I would call the vet to see if a rabies booster could be in order. I thought these were supposed to be shy animals? Anyway, to be safe I would let the vet know because inevitably some body fluid had to exchange in that incident. Maybe I am a little paranoid.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by winniecnm

I would call the vet to see if a rabies booster could be in order.

While opossums can carry rabies, it's extremely rare. They think it may have to do with their low body temp and the virus' inability to survive at lower body temps.

They ARE shy, nocturnal, and rarely a problem. We have many in my neighborhood and I've only seen 3 in thirty-three years here.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by tangelo53

I came home from work on Friday and my husband told me that Abby killed an opposum that came in our yard. I never thought she would have killed anything before....it concerns me. My husband just tells me that is what dogs do but I don't think so. Would she go after another dog if it got into our yard or can she tell the difference in a wild animal and another pet?? My husband went out there and she was obedient. She dropped the animal and went inside, but the fact of the matter is she attacked and killed something....and that makes me a little nervous!

Your husband is right. It's what dogs do. I actually think your dog did really well - dropped the opossum and came inside when asked. This means she listened while she was in drive. Good dog.

I've had a squirrel smeared all over my living room. I've had birds stolen from the cats and guarded, and we've had the 100 yard dash after opossums and armadillos in the yard. Baby moles are a delicacy. They'll even chase out cats that do not belong to us.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is that people believe that their dog is not a dog, and wouldn't ever hurt a fly. The truth is that dogs will be dogs will be dogs, no matter how much we try to anthromorphosize them, and attach our code of morals to them.

An opossum is a terrible thing to waste.... in a dog's mind.

[spidey]

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is that people believe that their dog is not a dog, and wouldn't ever hurt a fly. The truth is that dogs will be dogs will be dogs, no matter how much we try to anthromorphosize them, and attach our code of morals to them.

Yes indeed! Dogs (and cats) are predators. Sometimes they're going to act like predators.

[rottix2]

Mikk has a huge prey drive and has killed a porcupine (that was an ugly scene, believe me), several opposums, numerous squirrels, chipmunks, moles, mice, etc., pretty much any small mammals she can catch. I believe that is fairly normal behavior and do not worry about it. Caine will chase something if it runs in front of him, but with nowhere near Mikk's intensity.

I do not allow Mikk or Caine around cats unless leashed and fully under control as I am pretty confident that both dogs would chase a cat if it ran. Mikk has never gone after another dog, although I do not trust either of mine around small yappy dogs and so keep them securely leashed - just in case.