We live in an area where there are several birds of prey, but this seems a bit unreal to me that a bird would swoop down and take a chihuahua into the air with it. I know she only weighs 2 lbs., but I just can't see a bird of any size carrying away a living dog of any size. What do you guys think?
2006-07-21 02:24:38 · 32 answers · asked by kevinb49 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
She is correct, this can and has happened. Most likely if you are standing within a few feet of your dog, a hawk will not swoop down so close to you. But if she is unsupervised or a ways out on her leash it is possible and it has happened. It is very sad. I have attached a couple articles, one of them is concerning Papillons, but if a bird can carry off those they can certainly get a little Chi. Hope this helps ya out!
2006-07-22 03:26:15 · answer #1 · answered by blueeyedlovebug 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My folks raise Chi's and my mom once had two hawks swoop down and attack the dogs while she watched. It was fortunate that she was standing near or we would have lost them. It unfortunately is illegal to kill them (hawks/birds of prey) so my folks put up masons line with flags on it in the yard to deter further attacks. Even so the birds tried several more times.
Edit: I should also point out that my folks live a decent clip in the country where there should be a decent amount of game for the animals and they have a small fenced yard. There was no reason for the birds to attack, simply looking for an easy meal.
2006-07-21 02:55:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah. That dog is actually smaller than their usual prey. Most hawks prey on rabbits. It depends on the hwak though, and where you live. What you really gotta watch out for are owls. They are big, silent, and aggressive. Your dog won't know what hit it until it's too late. My boss' cat was actually attacked by an Owl, and that cat weighed about 12lbs. The cat lived, but got sliced up pretty good, and won't go outside anymore. Your dog is very much fair game. I'd reccomend you keep the dog on a leash, even/especially at night in the yard. That way she can't be carried away. It'll probably never happen, but if you leash her, she'll be hurt, but likely alive. Hope it never happens to you, but be careful. And listen to your wife. She sounds smart.
2006-07-21 02:32:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes........... This is most definately true. Hawks will take prey on a small dog or even kitty cats. I had kittens comming up missing, no idea where they were going until the day i seen a hawk swoop down with me right there and take my kitten away, it was the worse thing i have ever seen knowing there was nothing i could do to save my poor kitten. Owls will do this also.
2006-07-21 03:24:53 · answer #4 · answered by badgirl41 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with what other people have said.... Hawks eat animals bigger than your dog, such as bigger sized rabbits, for sure they would probably go for your dog IF it were in an open area, or tied up outside or something, but chances are, if you are walking it, you will scare the hawk away and it wouldn't even attempt to attack your dog... but I do not know the area you live in, so just for the dogs and your wife's sake, keep Fifi close to you, when you are outside with her.
2006-07-21 03:02:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I lost almost an entire litter of Kittens that way. The mother cat went off in our field to give birth and by the time I found them, most of them were gone. Hawks are known to carry off small mammals, that is their dinner, along with fish, but Fifi, would be a good appetizer for a hawk. However, while you are with her they are not as apt to try something like that. Just keep an eye to the sky.
2006-07-21 02:30:41 · answer #6 · answered by babydoll9796 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes My vet nurse teacher told us about a emergency that was brought into her vet surgery. A women had been walking her dog on its lead and a bird of prey swooped down and grabbed the dog, in fright she let go of the lead and saw the bird fly off with the dog, he then dropped it and she managed to get to the dog and take it to the vets where it had to go under emergency surgery for multiple injuries.
so be careful cos some birds of prey are oppertunistic
2006-07-21 02:56:01 · answer #7 · answered by Chana 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You bet! Birds of prey don't see "dog", they see "food". If it's small enough, they will eat it.
We have a great horned owl living nearby, and as much as I love that bird, I go outside with my puppies and stand over them. One night, my husband and I were sitting out on our front step. One of the local stray cats was wandering down the street near our house. He was a particularly thin cat... Out of nowhere, the owl swooped in and nailed the cat to the road. The cat barely even squeaked. It lugged the cat over to a telephone pole and commenced to dining. Impressive to see, but *woah*! Hide the puppies, quick!
There's not a lot of difference between a little cat, dog, or puppy, and a rabbit or a squirrel. Just stay close to him, and your presence should be enough to deter any airbourne predators.
Sorry for the horror story, but you asked! ;)
2006-07-21 06:13:44 · answer #8 · answered by doldaggabuzzbuzz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, happens here in atlanta. We have a tons of parks and a couple dog parks, very large ones. Not often but hawks and eagles, owls, some (larger sized) bats *happy now prick?* will carry off small dogs. two pound dog are an appitizer... depending on the bird they can carry off 15-20 pound dogs.
2006-07-21 03:25:08 · answer #9 · answered by Im just me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if the bird is big enough it is possible. it depends on the bird's size and strength to determine whether it could lift it. as to whether it would, that's a different question. chihuahuas are not part of their normal diet. if it was a starving bird of prey in an area devoid of humans and your dog was alone and unguarded, probably. but since you are in an area where there is enough prey for several of these birds to survive, i highly doubt your chihuahua seems like a tempting morsel to any of them.
2006-07-21 02:28:32 · answer #10 · answered by fifthoftheclan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋