Freckles

Birds of prey can be frightening, they do what they do quickly and efficiently. Loud noises can deter them, being a barking dog, even loud hand clapping, or as you previously tried, screaming. Even still, there is no guarantee, especially if there is a nest near-by, that they won't be back.

I have a friend with a similar situation and she found a unique solution. She ties a helium filled balloon to her dog's collar before she goes out each time. Sounds silly, I know, but the natural movement of the balloon is enough to confuse or disinterest the hawks and weighs practically nothing for the dog.

Ladywolfe

Now, that is an idea I had not thought of---LOL If I feel my Mina really needs to run, I think that might work for her. She never seems to pay any attention to what is above her--no "eyes to the sky" for her. She would do fine with the balloon.

I read a lot about deterring them. Bright clothing, things that are reflective in the yard, and that is one of the reasons she is sporting some very worn off bright pink dye. What I have read is that any way you can make your dog look like something that they don't associate with "food" helps a lot.

So, for anyone who thinks dressing your little dogs up is just plain silly; there are a few rational reasons for doing it. Prey birds do see in color and have unbelievably good eyesight.

And, you are all right; they are lightening fast!

__________________

Ladywolfe

Then again, we can only go so far, I guess.....LOL

__________________

Freckles

Ladywolfe, that picture is hilarious! I can't even imagine a poor toy poodle running around the yard and clanking with every step in that get-up!

Kloliver

This is very true. I'm a British Columbia Canadian who lived in Vancouver & Victoria. It's very common for Eagles, Hawks & Owls to carry off small dogs. There are many incidences in which owners were forced to engage in tug of war with the BOP to save their tethered animal.

lrkellly

this is sooo scary....

Can anyone hazard a guess as to how heavy is too heavy for one of these birds? Would they carry away a 11lb mini, to be exact...?

When I take Sprout out to my parent's place in the country I put a flashing blue light on his harness, so it shines on his back... I do so hoping it would scare away any would-be BOP. My dad ties a bell to his cat for the same reason. Not sure how well either of these things works....

Its hard because it gets so dark so early up here in Canada in the winter. But I guess BOP are out during the day as well? I know bald eagles are out and about, but I don't think they would try to pick up a small dog.

I have heard of cats being picked up by birds as well. Our cat Gussie is 20lbs, hopefully his weight would deter one of those birds..

In any case, how horrifying! And wow, that's a crazy picture of the bird you were able to take. Very intimidating indeed!

Indiana

This has happened twice last year in BC that has made the news...likely it's happened a lot more that people didn't notice or didn't make the news (it was an 18 lb poodle in this story quoted below from http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05...ursing-home/):

"VANCOUVER— She’s a vagabond toy poodle named May by SPCA staff after she fell out of the sky earlier this month and landed on the grounds of the Shorncliffe Nursing Home in Sechelt, B.C.

And how she came to be flying over the nursing home is explained by the deep talon marks in her back and sides, showing she was probably the unwilling passenger of a hungry eagle that had picked her up but eventually found her 18 pounds too much to hold.

May — her ribs broken and her body lacerated — was found by nursing staff on May 2 and delivered to the Sunshine Coast SPCA.

The fall injured her, says BC SPCA official Lorie Chortyk, but the whole unnerving ordeal likely saved her life."

BLKNBLU

I live in town. Have never seen red tails or falcons til the last two years. I grew up here. The birds of prey are moving to town do to loss of habit. I have schipperkes, min pins and the 2 mini poodles. I know the birds can get the min pins and puppies. Not so sure about the poodles and schipperkes. I went from being able to leave dogs out for a couple hrs with out me, to having to sit and 'bird' watch. I wish they made something to use to scare them off.
Jenn

__________________
Jenn K

outwest

We have that issue here to a lesser degree because there are plenty of rabbits and squirrels for them. Red tailed hawks must be prevalent around the country. I thought they were a West coast bird. We also have owls, huge beautiful white ones. And coyotes, which regularly snatch cats and occasionally small dogs. And raccoons which killed my chickens once (don't have them anymore). You shouldn't have to worry about your spoo, too big.

I am sorry you have to think about this. Thanks for bringing it up.

mom24doggies

Wow...this is scary!! I know about coyotes, I have quite a large amount of them where I live and so I'm careful to keep my dogs inside at night. But hawks and owls? We do have both around here, but I think my dogs are too big...Trev is the smallest at 17 lbs and most of our hawks and owls are fairly small. (Like every other wild animal around here...the lack of water and therefore nutritious food stunts growth.) But it's good to know about so that when I have puppies or if I ever get a toy breed I can be more careful!! Scary scary scary...poor puppies who got taken. :( I would be traumatized for life if I had to play tug-of-war with my baby and a hawk!!

__________________

"Love is the emotion that a woman feels always for a poodle dog and sometimes for a man." ~George Jean Nathan