My dog faught a raccoon

CtRick · Jul 26, 2004

Last Friday my dog got into a tussle with a raccoon and now she might be in serious trouble. Her rabies shot was two weeks overdue so she is considered an unvaccinated animal /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif . The fight occurred during the day, which also seems bad but, the raccoon was sleeping in a 30 yard can on my property and was startled by a roofer throwing in some debris. The coon jumped out right in front of my pup and they went at it for about 5 seconds. My dog wasn't bit but she was scratched up. The State is preliminarily recommending the dog be put down /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. I have an opportunity to present the facts to a "case-worker" who can then make a decision between euthanizing or a six month quarantine at an approved facility. My wife has cried for the past two days. I know this has been said before but please keep current on your shots; I thought I had another year. Sorry to be so long, but I feel you guys would understand my situation.

Rick

40Kchicks · Jul 26, 2004

Can I ask how the state found out about the dog fight?

Eric

MicroPilot · Jul 26, 2004

I had a dog get into it with a raccon, and his shots were not current. We were told by the vets to keep him isolated and chained/penned for 3 weeks. IF no symptoms appeared he would be OK. Turned out he was clean.

The raccoon however had his neck snapped at the end of a handlers snare by the animal control people!!!

Bird · Jul 26, 2004

Rick, how long had it been since her last rabies shot? We were accustomed to having our dogs vaccinated annually, but I understand some places go 2 years and some 3 years. And are you allowed to quarantine her at home? Or does it have to be some other "approved" facility? At any rate, you're going to have a tough decision, and you certainly have my sympathy.

If a person is bitten by a rabid animal, or an animal when it isn't known whether the animal had rabies, they immediately start a series of shots that prevents the disease. Can anyone tell me why that cannot be done with a dog?

CtRick · Jul 26, 2004

My wife brought the dog to the vet to get the scratches looked at. Here in Connecticut, rabies shots are every two years. I thought I was at the end of year one. The State may allow 3 months in a facility and 3 months at home but at home she would have to isolated, even from my family and only one person is to handle her. My town's animal control officer said that she would have to approve of my arrangement at home. That is the best case scenario.

Rick

Bird · Jul 26, 2004

( We were told by the vets to keep him isolated and chained/penned for 3 weeks. IF no symptoms appeared he would be OK. )

I know, from personal experience, that 40+ years ago in Dallas, that's what the owner of an unvaccinated dog was told to do if the dog bit someone. The Animal Control people would take the dog and pen it for that period of time, or allow the owner to do so on the owner's promise.

roho · Jul 26, 2004

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'd not trust my family member(dog that defends against racoon attack) @ A animal control station where they put dogs 2sleep! To many(AKOHS) accidents can happen & then it's 2 late for ole Spot! U know if mistakes happen N human hospital s ,CTRICK! U know what I MeaN! pen/Kennel Spot @HOME!

TBAR · Jul 26, 2004

My sister in law is our vet. She says that although the shots given once a year are good for two years.

TBAR

rcaretti · Jul 26, 2004

With some states requiring one every three years, it seems awfully cruel to put your pet down after just a little over two years. If it comes to putting your dog down, I'd fight it, call your vet for any information on current practices, see if they know what other states require, call your states vet association, and neighboring state associations to see what their requirements are. Build a case why you should be allowed to keep your pet in quarantine. Get a lawyer if you need to. I'd do what I had to do to save my dogs.

It's one thing if the dog started showing symptoms, and had to put down, but to waste a pets life over what could be nothing is just plain wrong IMO.