Groundhog charges, chases New Hampshire man

HAMPTON, N.H. – A New Hampshire man says he was working in his garage when a groundhog he had seen in his backyard charged at him.

Gary McGrath of Hampton tells WMUR-TV the groundhog got close, so he pushed him back with his foot Tuesday. But the animal returned. McGrath said he gave him a harder kick and closed the garage door.

But the groundhog sneaked through another opening – and McGrath ended up running to the front door.

His wife called an animal control officer, who got back into his truck for a short time when confronted by the groundhog. The animal was later put down in the yard. It will be tested for rabies.

McGrath said he didn’t know what the groundhog was thinking, “but it was not nice.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2014 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Groundhog charges, chases New Hampshire man."