Ugh....Fenway Killed a Kit

[Canis-Lupess]

Yeah, Our Jess managed to kill 2 hedgehogs in her time that wandered into her run. She didn't get injured herself by them either. I love hedgehogs so I was gutted.
She tried to kill a toad that went in once but I saw her trying to get at it so I rescued it before she managed to get it.

[Ginger's Mom]

Yes, it really is part of his nature, but I agree with you that I don't want to witness it. My parents had a beagle that killed a baby bunny once. They soon learned that in the springtime, when she showed a sudden interest in a particular spot behind the house that it was time to keep her on lead when she was outside for a few weeks.

[caseysmom]

I am sorry you had to go through that and at the risk of sounding stupin..what is a kit?

[Taz_Zoee]

I am sorry you had to go through that and at the risk of sounding stupin..what is a kit?

That's not a stupid question, because I was wondering myself. Do you mean a kit fox?

[Karen]

I am sorry you had to go through that and at the risk of sounding stupin..what is a kit?

I'm guessing it was a rabbit kit. This is the right time of year, and baby bunnies are often concealed and left unattended while momma goes to feed.
Don't feel bad, rabbits are prey animals, that's why they reproduce so quickly.

My first dog, the best and smartest dog in the whole wide world, Sheba, had a prey drive that was unmatched. If it wasn't human or canine, and Sheba spotted it, it had better be quick, or it was dead. My parents explained a prey drive to me, so I understood, and didn't fault her. And, in fact, the neighbors loved her, because they could grow corn without worry of woodchucks eating it on them. In fact, it was almost ten years after Sheba's death before a woodchuck was spotted n our neighborhood again, that's how effectively, and how wide an area, from which she had cleared them.

[caseysmom]

Thanks Karen, I thought maybe a baby squirrel but wasn't sure. Either way it is Fenway's instinct.

[Sophist]

Poor Kit, and poor Fenway-- he has to be confused about the whole situation.

Like everyone said, it is a very, very strong instinct for a terrier. He was just doing what comes naturally, but he still listened and dropped it when you said. Just remember how hard he tries to be a good boy.


You did everything you could for the kit. Try not to beat yourself up over it. Accidents happen. It is a very sad accident, but really not anyone's fault.

[jennielynn1970]

Same here, that's what their instinct tells them to do. Just like my mom and dad's farm cats bring rabbits, moles, mice, chipmunks etc.. into their garage. My mom gets upset, but my dad always tells her it's their nature, and survival of the fittest and all that. Can't punish an animal for instinct.