Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Lincoln killed a baby rabbit :-(
Tonight was just horrible. I don't want to get to descriptive because it was awful. First of all Lincoln ran after my cat outside, and rolled him, and thankfully Haku was okay and ran right back into the house, but then the next thing you know I hear this baby screaming sound, and I turn to see Lincoln has a baby rabbit in his mouth, and it's screaming and he won't drop it for me or leave it so I finally got a piece of chicken and he dropped it, but he was so badly injured. He didn't die right away either. I tried to save it, but it was too hurt. I called the vet, and they said they'd put it down for me, but the litlle guy didn't live. This was very traumatic for me and I cried so hard. The vets office told me that dogs do that. My dog Scott has chased a rabbit or two out of the yard, but never took a baby from it's nest. I didn't know I had a rabbits nest in my back yard. Anyway I found the nest, and there are still very new born babies in it, but I don't know if the mother rabbit will come back as Lincoln and now I was near it. I really hope she does. In the meantime thankfully I have the lead still in the ground so I am putting him on that in the meantime until they get a chance to leave. The vet told me that they don't know the difference between that and a squeak toy. I guess he has a strong prey drive which isn't good considering I have three cats. Lincoln is in the house with them all day, but he's in the kitchen, and nothing has happened so far. Do you think I need to worry? Sorry but I love all animals so this was very nerve wracking for me.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eva (Lilo and Rocky) on
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Dogs are natural hunters, but cats are fast and should be able to outsmart the dog and escape if he tries to play rough. I know it's traumatic to see your dog chase and kill other animals; mine have killed several rabbits, and many squirrels, mice, rats, moles, birds and god knows what else. One thing I just learned yesterday is that wild rabbits have a ton of parasites that can be transferred to dogs. So watch out for worms!
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Permalink Reply by Diane Denney on
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Hmm. He has a routine check up coming up in June with stool sample so I guess we will see then if he got anything. Thanks for the tip.
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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on
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Rabbits are also responsible for spreading leptospirosis, among other wild animals.
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I think he had his leptospirosis shot, and is also due in June. I told the vet about it this morning, and he didn't mention anything.
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One other thought is that I handled the animal, but I picked it up with a plastic bag, and used a paper towel after. I hope I didn't get it either.
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I would think a newborn probably wouldn't have any diseases yet.
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Who knows. I'm sure everything will be fine.
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Permalink Reply by Lynda Kamrath on
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It is very natural behavior and I wouldn't worry about it. Actually rabbits are very shocky and usually die very quickly. The scream was probably from the mother rabbit. I can't imagine a baby rabbit screaming. However, rabbits shock easily because they are a good natural food for many other animals. Don't make a big deal out of it. The mother will probably move her babies as soon as she can. Animals that live with each other usually get along. We have had grown rabbits with our dogs and had one that was actually enamored with the cat. He would follow the cat anywhere (including up a tree). He was free in the yard and came through the doggie door with the dog and cat. Bad side, rabbits are diggers and he dug under the fence and was nailed by the llapso apso (sp?) next door. Use vets for the important stuff, forget the baby rabbits, mice, squirrels, and birds. Just take them away from your dog and deposit in a trash can.
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Haku my cat was very scared after Lincoln rolled him in the backyard very hard, and very easily could have been hurt so I have reason for concern, not neccessarily worry, for my beloved pet. I realize that most dogs get along with animals they are brought up with as I have a 6 year old Shepard Mix who gets along fine with all of my cats and then some. I was at the vet already bringing in a urine sample for my older dog so it was no bother to him to answer a few questions for me. As for the baby bunny, I buried him in my garden.
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Baby rabbits do "scream"...it's kind of a high pitched shrieky sound. They did it when jack poked at them, and I've herard it when the coyotes around here have gotten into a nest.
The mothers only visit the nests when nobody else is around, usually in the early morning hours before dawn.
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Yes and it's a terrible sound!! I read that the mom visits at night while everyone is asleep. I felt like I was in an episode of Wild Kingdom!!! LOL Once he was hurt the terrible thing was that I couldn't bring myself to put him out of his misery. I'm just not able to do it. I'm just not wired that way!!! I can't imagine all the years I've had Scottie and I never once had to deal with a dead animal. He just isn't wired that way either I guess :D
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Definitely survival of the fittest!! I know it's nature, but it took me by surprise. Hopefully the rabbits stay away after this bunch leave the roost. We have a ton of rabbits in our area.
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