Question on dog safety

[GL]

My almost 5 year old female Brit has turned out to be quite the hunter. Not the hunter most talked about here.

She has a very large yard with radio fence and it is bordered by a nice stream. She hunts constantly, squirrels, chipmunks, mice and moles and is very good at keeping the riffraf out of her yard.

I am a bit concerned lately as she has been on a mad hunt and this morning I finally saw the prey she is after. I have a good sized Mink that comes up from the stream and is also hunting the mice and moles around the house. She had it cornered and I was able to back her off and allow it to move on.

I don't know what to do. I do know a Mink can be a formidable scrapper and I am concerned this could be a battle that could end badly. I am not sure that trapping is much of an answer as there could be more than one or two. This time of year I do get a lot of moles and mice over by the stream and this is what attracts the Minks and Weasels.

Any opinions/advice or others who have had this issue? What action would you take?

[DonF]

The mink I've seen were all in Mink Farms, they weren't very big. Your dog is five years old and the way you describe it, I doubt the mink could handle it no matter how good a scrapper they are. Only real solution for me would be either fence off that area or shoot the mink. Most wild animals around here prefer to leave dogs alone for the most part.

[AzDoggin]

I'd make a nice hatband out of the mink

[TraditionsGSPs2010]

In this corner, weighing in at 35 pounds, Goldy "the great" Brittany, and in the far corner weighing in at 2 pounds, Marvin "the mole killer" mink....

Its no fun weigh your dog gets into it with something that fights back but at the age of 5, I have to agree with DonF, I bet if your pup gets a hold of said mink that it will be over pretty quick.

[gotpointers]

I don't have mink running wild in my area but i would be concerned that the mink may be rabid. What makes me say this is that the previous post says they usually Stay clear. If a animal exibits unusual behavior be cautious somethings not right.

[markj]

A mink will jump on teh back of any large anima;l and bite it in the spine area. Be carefull with them same as ferrits.


American Mink - Minks have few natural enemies and are occasionally killed by coyotes, bobcats and other carnivores. Minks being like most mustelids, are aggressive and fearless predators and will not hesitate to defend themselves against animals larger than themselves.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_ ... z1nbFimGGT

[GL]

A mink will jump on teh back of any large anima;l and bite it in the spine area. Be carefull with them same as ferrits.


American Mink - Minks have few natural enemies and are occasionally killed by coyotes, bobcats and other carnivores. Minks being like most mustelids, are aggressive and fearless predators and will not hesitate to defend themselves against animals larger than themselves.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_ ... z1nbFimGGT

This is exactly what I have been told by others who have had issues with them. I have a have a heart trap set now but have also been told these are not dumb animals and can be very tough trapping by unskilled trappers. I think the moles are burrowing close to the house foundation and this is why the Mink is venturing close. I saw him last night pass by the slider with a mouse or mole in his mouth and heading back toward the stream. He is definitely larger than any Ferret I have ever seen and appears to be eating very well. I have raw chicken in the trap.

[Ruffshooter]

The moles are the draw.
Mink are fiesty, but it is not too large. Sounds like you know for sure it is a mink, but if unsure:
Make sure it is not a Pine martin which is larger than a Mink. Make sure it is not a young fisher, which is much larger than a mink and Pine Martin and will tear up a good dog and maybe kill it.
P.S. Sounds like you have a versatile hunting dog.

[Cajun Casey]

You might try eliminating the moles with either a castor oil repellent or smoke bomb.

[Doodle]

Mink are a pint size creature with a big attitude when cornered. They are smart. Why not contact your local nusiance trapper? It's what they do. If the dog is not naturally programmed to take care of it quick and efficently it could get chewed a little.

[Sharon]

I'll send my Jack Russell over - problem solved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZm5sppSI4c

[gotpointers]

Thanks for the information. I was thinking they were more like a rabbit didn't know they were like badgers.

[markj]

they were like badgers.

Um, more like weasels. Think badger with acrobatics

[GL]

I don't know if I am getting censored or I have a setting wrong. I have posted 3 responses and only one appeared.

Jack Rs are definitely programed for this kind of work and apparently they like the big animals as well. Brits love to hunt but this type of duty was never implanted as far as I know. The Weasel/Mink is absolutely an acrobat and can jump like a kangaroo. I would class them with a Mongoose and I think they can climb trees pretty well also.

I have 2 trail cams set up so I can get an accurate ID of what I am dealing with.

[hi-tailyn]

Mink are looking for live food, the moles and such. Hope the raw meat might fool him once and get him caught. have it tanned and make your other half a fur collar for her coat.

Mink can put up a good fight once cornered. I used to trap them in college. If you didn't drown them when trapped they would chew off leg or keep you at bay till you shot it with 22.

I had my then 7 yr old GSP on a stake out by some railroad ties and a ground hog just walked by her like nothing to worry about. My dog grabbed it and shook the heck out of it. Then let it go and it layed for a second then it ran away under the barn. I just happened to be sitting out back relaxing and watched the contact and laughed at how dumb the groundhog was. My dog started licking her leg continually. I decided to go see that she was ok. When I got there she had blood squarting out of her upper inside of leg. The ground hog had bit and hit a blood vessel. It took me 20+ min to get the blood to clot with constant pressure. If I had not been there I'm sure she would have bled out. And that was just a ground hog. A mink can do a lot more harm and on purpose.

Like someone said earlier if the mink in coming into yard with dog there, it is not normal. They will look for easy food, but will not on purpose look for a fight with a dog.

[Lucky Dog]

My GSP went a couple rounds with this one before he retreated up a tree.



I would think that more than one encounter with your dog and Mr. mink would find a new place to hunt.