rabbits

Whispered

Here is a bit of an email I got from a friend. Her dog, who is confined to their large garden has started bringing in dead rabbits.

I don't know what is going on in our garden, last week she brought in a dead baby rabbit. It was pretty stink so at least she didn't kill it. Then about two days later, there was another one about the same size - again she didn't kill it. And yday she brought a bigger one in. Again stiff as a poker. I'm going mad trying to think of what is happening to the poor lil things. They're not being killed by an animal cos they are in tact and unmarked. First 2 had no eyes, third one was fine.

She rang to get advice from the dept of wildlife, who couldn't understand her concerns and thought she was ringing to report an infestation :rolleyes: Any idea what could be killing the rabbits?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Where abouts is your friend?

Whispered

Near slane

whitser

i'd say mixy. its about this time of year that it hits.

Whispered

I was thinking, is this dangerous to dogs, in particular a pregnant bitch?

whitser

i dont think so.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

It does indeed sound like myxomatosis but it is more likely that myxomatosis infected animals are being taken by her dog as they fall foul to predators much more easily when infected. The dog would not necessarily bring in a fresh kill but could hide it and bring it in much later.
If the rabbits have myxomatosis many skin tumors should be obvious and the eyes will be clearly affected with the disease causing tumors to blind the animal early in the infection.
There is absolutely no health risk to the Dogs or Humans from myxomatosis.

I can understand the Departments attitude as Rabbits are a bit of a nuisance and the loss of a few of the pests will not cause anybody any concern.

Vegeta

I am not trying to sound smart this is a genuine question, but how are the rabbits getting to the garden?

If the dog is confined something is bringing dead rabbits to the dog or the rabbits are coming into the garden and dying. Both sound odd

The first 2 having no eyes means they were probably visited by grey crows or magpies. Also just because they had no marks on them does not mean they were not killed by an animal. A dog will pick the rabbit up by the neck, shake it violently and break its neck leaving no mark on the animal what so ever.

So I think there are a few things which could be happening.
a) sick rabbits wander into garden, die, magpies and crows peck at them and then dog finds them and brings to owner (3 in a week is a little too much to make this plausable though)
b)Dog is killing rabbits who enter the garden (could be sick or healthy), hiding them for a bit (domesticated dogs are fed so will not try and eat them straight away) and then presenting them to the owner
c)Dog is not confined and is going into the surrounding field finds a dead animal and brings it home (personally I think the rabbits would be in a much worse state if this were the case as if they are out long enough to smell, magpies, crows etc would have them in a pretty bad state)
(d)Dog is not confined and is going and killing the rabbits, hiding them and then bringing them to owner.

So either rabbits are entering her garden or the dog is leaving the garden. Both of these can be sorted. Check the surrounding fields and see if there are any warrens close to the house and try and block the access to her garden as best he/she can. Keep tighter control on the dog.

Whispered

Vegeta wrote: »

I am not trying to sound smart this is a genuine question, but how are the rabbits getting to the garden?

If the dog is confined something is bringing dead rabbits to the dog or the rabbits are coming into the garden and dying. Both sound odd

Rabbits live in the garden, I was just there the other night actually and caught 3 in the headlights as we were turning in. When I say garden, it's not a lawn, it's 2 acres with a small wooded area, a natural pond and ditches all around.

Vegeta wrote: »

The first 2 having no eyes means they were probably visited by grey crows or magpies. Also just because they had no marks on them does not mean they were not killed by an animal. A dog will pick the rabbit up by the neck, shake it violently and break its neck leaving no mark on the animal what so ever.

This could be possible, but she is generally out for a few mins to clean herself, she would have to catch and kill within 10 mins MAX, very much a house dog, never out alone.

Vegeta wrote: »

So I think there are a few things which could be happening.
a) sick rabbits wander into garden, die, magpies and crows peck at them and then dog finds them and brings to owner (3 in a week is a little too much to make this plausable though).

Not really, as I said, rabbits live in the garden. They also have a few hedghogs. Very lucky.

Vegeta wrote: »

b)Dog is killing rabbits who enter the garden (could be sick or healthy), hiding them for a bit (domesticated dogs are fed so will not try and eat them straight away) and then presenting them to the owner

Dog is never alone in the garden for any more than 10 mins. She is a top show dog and is very closely monitored.

Vegeta wrote: »

c)Dog is not confined and is going into the surrounding field finds a dead animal and brings it home (personally I think the rabbits would be in a much worse state if this were the case as if they are out long enough to smell, magpies, crows etc would have them in a pretty bad state)
(d)Dog is not confined and is going and killing the rabbits, hiding them and then bringing them to owner.

Dog is most certainly confined at all times. I can swear this hand on heart. They have invested a lot of money in dog proofing their garden. And she's the type of dog who would not go unnoticed in public if she was out alone. Not to mention, there are another 3 dogs too, who would also be escaping if she was. 4 dogs escape and come back at the same time, within 10 mins? Not very likely?

Vegeta wrote: »

So either rabbits are entering her garden or the dog is leaving the garden. Both of these can be sorted. Check the surrounding fields and see if there are any warrens close to the house and try and block the access to her garden as best he/she can. Keep tighter control on the dog.

Now, rabbits entering the garden is part of why they love living there. They don't want to stop the wildlife in the area. This is also why the dogs are very closely monitored when out. Keep tighter control of the dog? If someone said that to you in the animal forum you'd tell them to get off their high horse. The dog does not need to be more tightly controlled and that was an ignorant and unnecessary comment. I came on to see what was killing the rabbits. Not to get a lecture on how my friend is not looking after her dog well enough. Seriously, I can guarantee that this is one of the best cared for dog I can think of.

Vegeta

helena.ryan wrote: »

Now, rabbits entering the garden is part of why they love living there. They don't want to stop the wildlife in the area. This is also why the dogs are very closely monitored when out. Keep tighter control of the dog? If someone said that to you in the animal forum you'd tell them to get off their high horse. The dog does not need to be more tightly controlled and that was an ignorant and unnecessary comment. I came on to see what was killing the rabbits. Not to get a lecture on how my friend is not looking after her dog well enough. Seriously, I can guarantee that this is one of the best cared for dog I can think of.

Woahhhhhhh helena wtf.

Fair enough if the owners are watching their dogs at all times they must be seeing them pick up the dead rabbits. Why don't they just stop them picking them up/retrieving them then if they are worried about potential health issues? Problem solved.

Where did I say your friend was not caring for her dog? There is a big difference between the word caring and control. Way to jump on the defensive when someone tries to give you help.

stevoman

helena.ryan wrote: »

Now, rabbits entering the garden is part of why they love living there. They don't want to stop the wildlife in the area. This is also why the dogs are very closely monitored when out. Keep tighter control of the dog? If someone said that to you in the animal forum you'd tell them to get off their high horse. The dog does not need to be more tightly controlled and that was an ignorant and unnecessary comment. I came on to see what was killing the rabbits. Not to get a lecture on how my friend is not looking after her dog well enough. Seriously, I can guarantee that this is one of the best cared for dog I can think of.

thats a bit harsh i think aswel helena, he's trying to help you.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

stevoman wrote: »

thats a bit harsh i think aswel helena, he's trying to help you.

I agree. You try to offer some advice and...

If the dog is being so closely monitored then your friend should know very well where it's getting the rabbits from. Just because it's a "show dog" doesn't mean it can't kill and bury a rabbit. Mine do.