The rarely witnessed behaviour show how close the dog called Oreo comes to being plucked from the ground by the owl with its razor sharp talons that can … Pet Safety Tips for Protecting Small Dogs From Birds of Prey . My family and I have come to believe that it is an owl that has taken our dogs. So no. ... Hawks, etc pick up small cats and dogs. I've watched an owl calculate payload on a Maltese. Now, I think I know what kind of bird has been in the barn, killing sparrows- there is nothing left but a few feathers- there are no cats around. I was saying if small dog it outside with a person it can still get attacked by a hawk. Silovsky says that people put up reflective tape, hang pie pans from trees, and use owl decoys and machines that produce loud booms to … Unfortunately, this can sometimes include small dogs and other family pets. ). A hawk hunting for house pets in the kempt lawns of suburbia sounds like the making of an urban legend, but the tale has, in recent decades, become a staple of … Family Friendly Topics ... he saw a big hawk/eagle of sorts swoop down into his neighbors yard during the day and snatch up the little useless lap dog they had. That woman was right next to her dog when a hawk tried to pick it up. Flew up to several hundred feet and purposely drop it. over the last 2 months we have had 2 dogs taken by something. If you live in an area where owls are a problem, you need to take steps to protect your dog from these winged hunters. So, if it can happen to a rabbit, then I don't see why it wouldn't happen with a dog (or cat.) I recently had a client here in the Bay Area whose little poodle was picked up by an owl in their yard, and luckily dropped a few seconds later. The Harpy Eagle of the American tropics regularly takes monkeys, and can yank a sloth right out of the tree it's in. The owl will pick the cat up by the spine, perhaps breaking the cat's neck in the process, and carry it off and eat it. I suppose it's possible. If this owl has taken up residence in your area keep an eye on your dog when you let it out at night. People from time immemorial have said that owls carry off cats but we watched a recent documentary on discovery channel proving that there is no breed of owl that can pick up a full grown cat, save one, and that one only eats rodents. How much weight can this bird pick up? Homeowners and businesses have tried many ways to keep birds of prey away from their property. My aunt lives in a rural area, and she has seen hawks grab rabbits and take them away. Pets are not exempt from the food chain and owls are not the only animals that will eat small pets if given the chance. I have 2 Great Horned Owls in my yard (20 acres). You could also walk around the area and see if you can find the Owl, or Owl pellets; which are golf ball sized large balls of fur. Would love to know your thoughts. On the flip side, most cats and some dogs also kill wild animals (small mammals like mice and shrews, reptiles like lizards and snakes, birds including small owls, etc. A small Chihuahua, you betcha! It means you shouldn't leave small dogs outside unattended and that cats are better off indoors. While rare, birds of prey will occasionally try and take off with a small dog. Everett if your dad turn his back on his dog a hawk could fly down try to attack it. I've had at least one client who lost a small dog … I don't know what happened to your cat but it was not carried off by an owl. Best to be safe than sorry, so you're right about keeping your dog leashed. Just be vigilant. Some of the rabbits have been big. The owl will not "attack" the cat, exactly. Owls are a predatory bird and will hunt and kill any suitable prey. Pets are not exempt from the food chain and owls are not the only animals that will eat small pets if given the chance. Many eagle species worldwide hunt prey the size of small domesticated dogs. Predator Birds And Small Dogs ... At the end of the article it said eagles can only pick up 4-5 lbs but other places I read much larger. I have a small, 9-10 lb dog. Does anyone know if an owl is a danger to a 36 pound dog? we are now going to set up bait with a chicken and have a camera that … but, can an owl pick up a 5-7 pound dog? I hope that I have been of some help to you. Did you know that dogs can be prey for owls?