Ragondin ...
 

... I posted a tad back about our new Jack Russell who joined us and our existing JR, queries about behaviour and odd 'droppings' which look like they were hedgehog ... but I digress ...
Bit back on a regular circular country off-road walk with the dogs, off the lead, our new JR dove down a culvert that connected to an underground warren of ragondin. Lots of muffled barking and our original JR went down to. About 10 minutes later they emerged, covered in earth, but unscathed.
Today, same walk, we let them off in what had been an area of no interest to them. Our original JR disappeared through a hedge followed by the other. Nothing heard. No sign .... for around 10 minutes again. Both emerged covered in earth, the new JR with an obvious mark on her head.
After both showered, original JR has wound under her lower jaw, the new JR has the wound on her had, one on her snout and on her side jaw and an ear.
Have applied Savlon (all we have) and will now wait and see what transpires ... possibly a visit to the vet as not sure if there will be an infection.
Not really seeking anything, just felt a need to share ...

Re: Ragondin ...
 

As you say Ragondins..........or you have some vicious bionic moles down your way! :sneaky:

Re: Ragondin ...
 

Be very very careful. Those beasts (ragondin, coypu, nutrea) are bad tempered when cornered and are disease carriers. I have trapped them myself and have watched them try to chew their way out of steel mesh traps, chewing a stainless steel latch to a lump of scrap. :eek:

Re: Ragondin ...
 

That took my breath away. I knew they were nasty and I've seen plenty of dead ones on the main road that goes to La Tranche sur Mer, a very popular holiday spot - marsh either side, so plenty of homeland opportunity with the various drainage canals - their teeth and talons on plain view.
Our original rough coat JR bitch has been a tad withdrawn, but the injury under her jaw looks okay. The smooth coat came off worse, but no worrying infection signs; the damage is on her left face which, given she lost her left eye to cancer speaks volumes. Bit like one had behind your back !
So, from now, it's on leads in risky areas. Happily the beach is okay for dogs this time of year, bit like watching mini-whippets racing. Cheers WT.:nod:

Re: Ragondin ...
 

Try picking up a stray cat I discovered how strong their bite is, it discovered propulsion powered by Ugg Boots. But it left me needing three rabies jabs:blink:

Re: Ragondin ...
 

Sorry KO, made me laugh. I'm assuming the jabs weren't to get rabies? Was it an Oz pussy? They be known to kick *rse!
Never had a rabies jab, but memory with drink recalls they are not pleasant, so respect.:ohmy:

Re: Ragondin ...
 

interesting to read this: our pup raced off the other day and as we rounded a corner we saw he had cornered a family of ragondins; he wasnt attacking; just interested and when I said leave he came away... glad he did now after hearing they bite!

We taught him 'leave' immediately as he eats everything he finds; dog poo; chicken muck old mouldy hay .... and then bounds up to us to breathe his charming breath over us:blink:

Re: Ragondin ...
 

Must be something going on tonight, as this made me smile. Don't really want to switch this into a dog post, as I my original post was seeking knowledge plus a bit of sharing, but our relatively new one-eyed bitch (she was my OH's dad's dog we got for him after my OH's mum died, called Poppy 'cos of Remembrance) - she also eats everything dennerlymum , if I could get her to mow grass, well, that's something else. Sadness is our two JRs don't get on well too often, that maybe bad parenting .... Poppy likes to sit on her haunches and then try to lick you, bit like bad breath .... :eek: