Opposom bit my puppy?

Question

Okay my mom said there was this big opposom outside in my backyard inside my gate and my puppy almost got bit because she was a couple of inches away. What could've happened if she got bit?

The opposom is still in my yard right now and my mom wants to get my grandpa over to kill it. My mom said the opposom was spitting at her and was showing its fangs/teeth.

Answer 1

Your puppy might have gotten a bit injured. Opossums are still animals, and I don't think your grandpa should kill it :(. Maybe take him/her and bring it to another place, she might just have babies there and be protecting it.

Answer 2

Please do not kill it.  The chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. This may have something to do with the opossum’s low body temperature (94-97º F) making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum’s body.  Opossums look so vicious, but they really are not.  They are quiet and just want to be left alone.  The growling and spitting is their defense to scare people and pets long enough to get away from them.  I have been a wildlife rehabber for 13 years.  If people call me to remove one from their yard I will do so and relocate it to a better place.  Even though they growl and look so mean I am able to pick them up with gloves.  Then I take them home and give them a flea bath before I release them.  They are good to have around because they keep rat populations down.  If you have your dogs food outside bring it in at night because the opossum come to your yard to eat it.

Look at the web site below for lots of information on  Opossum Problems and Solutions  

Answer 3

If your puppy is up to date on her shots, she should be just fine. If not, and she got bitten, various diseases, maybe even rabies.

And, I hate to say it, but better the possum than your dog. -__-