Israel’s nature is rich and diverse, and encounters with wildlife are part of living in this beautiful country. Most wild animals prefer to avoid humans and dogs, but some encounters can become dangerous.
Understanding which animals require caution and knowing what to do in an emergency can help prevent serious consequences.
🦔 Porcupines — beautiful, but not harmless
This dog was brought to the veterinary hospital in Beit Dagan after an encounter with a porcupine.
Porcupine quills are not “thrown” or shot at the attacker, as many people believe. They detach easily when touched and can become deeply embedded in the skin or other tissues.
In this case, the quill did not enter through the eye itself. Instead, by chance, it passed through the eye socket and penetrated into the brain. Veterinary surgeons successfully removed it, and after recovery the dog returned home — able to see with the affected eye, eating, drinking, wagging his tail, and responding normally.
This case demonstrates how remarkable and resilient a dog’s body can be — but also how dangerous penetrating injuries can become.
Never remove porcupine quills yourself!
A quill or any other penetrating foreign object can damage a major blood vessel and cause severe bleeding.
Removing it should only be done by a veterinarian who knows how to manage possible complications and control bleeding.
🦊 Jackals and 🐭 Field mice — wildlife connected to infectious diseases
Some mammals are dangerous not because of direct attacks, but because they can serve as reservoirs for diseases.
The jackal is one of the most important wildlife reservoirs of rabies in Israel.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease — meaning it can affect both animals and humans. The disease is caused by a virus and, once clinical signs appear, it is almost always fatal (for more details, see the article "Rabies — A Deadly Disease That Can Be Prevented").
Jackals normally avoid humans. Therefore, unusual behavior — such as a wild jackal approaching people or dogs without fear — should always be considered suspicious.
The field mouse is associated with another important disease: leptospirosis.
Both rabies and leptospirosis are diseases for which preventive vaccination is available.
In our article "Dog Vaccinations: What Do They Protect Against?", we discuss dog vaccinations in Israel, why they are essential, and which serious diseases they help prevent.
Stay safe during outdoor adventures 🐾
Wildlife is an important part of Israel’s ecosystem, and most encounters are harmless. However, curiosity can sometimes put dogs at risk.
Supervision during walks, preventing dogs from approaching wild animals, and seeking veterinary care after any suspicious contact are the best ways to protect your companion. 🐾
