they only take gold if you kill them outright, they also can only do 1 or -1 damage(healing you). a bit of experience handling them will go a long way. there is a stronger version of them later that is way worse though XP
they take money away on hit too, if THEY damage you you also lose money, it's a pain specially when they pile up or spawn in the tens in a dungeon
I've tested it just now, they do not. you're probably attacking them trying to open chests or attacking other enemies
