Killed squirrel

Agutka · 29 September 2006 at 2:10PM

Walking my dog in the park she found herself a toy and was throwing it about:embarasse . Turned out if was a squirrel with a broken back, who couldn't run away. I was sooo upset. Took dog home immediately to get my car a a few bits and pieces. Called hubby to get advice - he called RSPCA. Take squirrel to vets who have a responsibility to look after it. Took me ages to get the poor thing in the box, as I was scared of the sharp teeth and claws. The poor thing had such a cute face and was fully operational from the waist up. And in lots of pain as it squeaked every time it moved. I left it at the vets who said they would put it down.

I am angry at my dog. She didn't bite down on it, but must have caused this creature so much pain. She can walk herself in the future.
Through my tears I have explained to her (hey it might get through) that as much fun as chasing things is, there is a danger somebody might get hurt and that is bad. And that the squirrel will now be put down.

What a day.

Murtle · 29 September 2006 at 2:13PM

But if the animal already had a broken back, maybe your doggie did the nicest thing in bringing it to your attention so it could be helped to sleepy land humanely rather then a gruesome death of starvation or worse if some nasty kids got hold of it (you get the idea). Big hugs as it's a horrible thing, my cats bring me mice and I tell them endless times I don't want them, they now bring them for OH.

Agutka · 29 September 2006 at 2:20PM

I am praying that it was already hurt - she hasn't managed to catch a squirrel yet. But she may have been the cause of it falling out of the tree. And for that I am not talking to her. She's such a happy puppy and was so excited to show me what she found, but if she's a killer then we are bad dog owners and ashamed.

And I cannot imagine the horror of being 'brought' things by a cat. Nice.

Thank you for your kind words Murtle.

patchwork_cat · 29 September 2006 at 2:26PM

It is instinct. Chances are that that squirrel wasn't well when the dog found it as it would have shined up a tree.

As a cat owner this is a fact of life and yes we have had a dead squirrel. It is no consolation, but some people consider squirrels to be vermin.

Your dog is not a killer just behaving as nature intended. I know some owners won't give their dogs squeaky toys as they say that it encourages them - I just think it is nature.

suffolkb · 29 September 2006 at 2:28PM

Our dog used to love chasing squirrels.He could never figure out where they went and would run round and round the tree.He did bring back a baby rabbit once.I made him drop it and it sprinted off.Hope it found it`s way home.

bluezone · 29 September 2006 at 2:31PM

I give my parents dogs squeeky toys as its the only hng they can catch and it stops them taking cuddly toys or my shoes into the garden and chewing them ! :rolleyes: Although the eldest one is scared of the squeek so I have to remove it - it sounds daft as she is a dobermann!! :rolleyes:

*zippy* · 29 September 2006 at 3:35PM

I got home from work Tuesday to find our garden covered in feathers and our dogs eating the few remains of one of our chickens, it was so upsetting, it was my DD's favourite, as horrible as it was, its natural to them. I did the talking thing to them too, they did at least look sorry.

Mrs_pbradley936 · 29 September 2006 at 3:41PM

You have just found out that animals do not have human qualities. I expect that you are disappointed with your dog but don’t be she has done nothing “wrong”. It is not wrong for a dog to behave like a dog. People often think that cats are cruel when they play with a mouse or bird instead of killing it quickly. It is instinct, when an adult cat is teaching its young to hunt they maim the prey first so that the youngster can finish the job. If they did not do that the prey would escape, no lessons would be learned and the next generation would starve.

Mrs_pbradley936 · 29 September 2006 at 3:43PM

The cat bringing in mice or birds is sharing with you!

lynseyf · 29 September 2006 at 4:05PM

She would never have causght it if it was ok, trust me my dog has tried oftern enough!

You can't blame your dog for acting like a dog, she is an ANIMAL, not a human, no matter how domesticated they are now. It really isn't fair to give her a row for this, if she starts chasing them in the future then tell her to stop.

*zippy* · 29 September 2006 at 4:36PM

Explaining is not the same as giving a dog a row, I certainly didn't and I got the impression the op didn't either. To a dog its plain and simple its food.

Killed squirrel

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