Danger to my dogs from Badger?

Question

I think I might be seeing a badger in and out of my backyard. Its black, kinda big and low to the ground. Never when my dogs are out. I haven't noticed any tracks, but its hard to even see my own through the "puppy prints". I know there are badgers in the city and a lot of rabbit around my house. I saw a black head strike out at a rabbit from a bush the other day. It was at least 300 meters down the road so I didn't see clearly. Also from the shape of the yard and the shape of the house, I need to check 3 windows to see the whole yard. I haven't seen the thing well yet.

I know they can be vicious but I don't have any personal experience with them. How much danger are my dogs in when they are in the yard? One is about 70 lbs and smart, the other is about 9 lbs and dumb. On the other side of my wood pile there is a whole in the fence probably about 1 foot x 1 foot at ground level.

Could it be a badger? How much danger is there? Anything I can do until I can get the fence fixed?

I'm not killing anything.

Pest control said they'd only come if there was an attack or I knew where it was living. :(

Answer 1

Badger can kill a dog that is fact.
This is not something you wont inside your fence.
I would get the fence repaired and just for a deterrent run a electric fence like used for cattle around the outside or inside of your main fence low to the ground and that is depending if you own the land out side and have no small kids that could get to it.
The shock wont kill the badger but it will let him know he not welcome there.
You don’t need to run the electric fence on all day just at the evening just before dusk and all night.
This will keep the badger from digging back inside your fence for they are good at burrowing under fences.

Now you did not mention where you live as in state or in town or out of town.
My state the dog catchers and local law has no jurisdiction over wildlife.
This is the responsibility of the Department of Wildlife, you can call them and request help.
Again depending on the state as to how they handle it.
My state would have you to contact me or another Nuisance Wildlife Controller in your area then they would give you the phone numbers of these controllers.
Please note in my state you are responsible to pay the Nuisance Wildlife Controller fees for he is a state authorized bounty hunter he subcontracts from the state but is not paid by the state.
They will come out and catch it or shoot it as to your request, but note if it is caught in a live trap and removed it must be destroyed not re-released in some states.

I am a Nuisance Wildlife Controller for my state and that is there requirements due to the fact that our ecosystem is saturated with most pest and it would only transfers you problem to someone else, you would not wont someone doing that to you so don’t do it to others.

I would advise you not to try and catch this on your own with or with out a trap.
1- you may need a license to trap in your area and get fined for not having one.
2- if you don’t know what you are doing you can get hurt by the Badger even in a live catch trap, your going to have to let it out some time and it will be in a very bad mood when it get out.
3- you will be responsible for any other domestic pet that could in up in the trap.
4- you will be responsible for any child that may get to the trapped Badger before you, and if he/she sticks a finger in the trap to pet the Badger, God help them and you.

I would advise you get the fence repaired and set up a electric fence low to the ground between 3 to 6 inches off the ground 2 to 3 inches away from your fence to encourage the Badger to move out of you area.

If this not possible then call you Department of Wildlife and ask for help.
I do hope I was of some help, and good luck on resolving your problem.

As to is it a Badger, I don’t know.
You did state there were badgers in the city, if that city is close to you, yes it is possible that this is a badger, and I must confess you description sounds like one.
It depends on where you live, for Badgers are indigenes in many areas.

D58

Answer 2

Pound for pound and inch for inch, Badgers are the meanest critters in America. Even the mighty Wolverine can't beat them, nor can most bears, either. They can kill a dog in a flash and drag them off to eat. Once a critter fights a badger, he remembers not to try that again. They are fearless.
If it's not a badger, a skunk can be dangerous because of rabies and their skunk defense will stink you out.You and your dogs should avoid both critters.

Answer 3

Sure it's a Badger and not a skunk??

Badger's are nasty critters, quite capable of killing both your dogs for lunch.

If you don't want to kill it, call a professional trapper. Don't try taking this bad boy on your own. Even bears avoid these guys.

Answer 4

A full grown adult badger can kill a dog! Hopefully the dog is smart enough to figure this out and stay away, the young dumb one might need a close eye kept on it while he;s in the yard.

Answer 5

If it is a Badger,I don't think your dogs are in much danger. If you are really concerned,call a pest control company or your local animal control officer.

Answer 6

A badger killed my father's 100 plus pound German Shepard.

Answer 7

Most of them have stripes, I suppose it depends on where you live.
I have seen one turn and act ferocious to a passenger bus. They have a mouthful of ugly
teeth and huge claws. Too dumb to be afraid of anything.

I would get somebody else to shoot it before it kills your pets. You sound like a kind soul but don't let this beast get your dog.

PS It will dig under your fence.

Answer 8

Pest Control will more than likely just shoot the thing. You should see the set of claws on those things, they are a lot like a wolverine-with a temper too.

Answer 9

pull out the .22 and post up for the night have yourself a little huttin trip in the backyard