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Hawk Attacks Yorkshire Terrier

Thursday, December 23, 2004

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports today that a yorkshire terrier was found dead in its owner front porch. The assailant is believed to be a hawk.

Frank and Barbara Rozzo of Brookline left their four-pound Yorkshire terrier, Gizmo, alone for a couple of minutes on her front porch, and when she returned she found the dog had been fatally injured by a large bird.

"It's a very rare occurrence," said Jill Argall, director of the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania Wildlife Center in Penn Hills.

"Usually a hawk can't pick up anything more than three or four pounds," she added. "I get a lot of calls from people worried about kittens and puppies. My best advice is go outside with your animal if you've got a hawk in the area."
Personally, I've had similar fears for my rat terrier, Max. We live in an area where hawks live in great numbers. I sat in my backyard one afternoon, watching the sparrows and finches eating out of the bird feeder. When all of a sudden the birds scattered away. A hawk landed seconds later. Another finch came by, probably unaware of the impending danger. The hawk lept into the air, and with amazing stealth had the finch in its talons. It landed on the fence, and plucked it clean. Then it flew off with the dead finch to enjoy lunch. It's quite an awesome sight if you're accustomed to watching finches eat seeds.

But Max is too big for a hawk to carry away, and can lay a good bite on you if he wants to. But we've since added a Beagle to our family, and she doesn't hesitate to chase away the birds.

34 Comments:

  • Because of the attack on my dog I never leave without a weapon and I stay on my property with justification to rid myself of this nuisance or the hawk.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:03 AM, October 08, 2006  

  • I believe this is the right thing to do. I also believe that it is only a matter of time before a large hawk or eagle attacks a small child.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:12 AM, December 16, 2006  

  • I live in the country with lots of hawks on my property. I NEVER take my yorkies outside unless I am CARRYING them. I've heard too many stories such as this one.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:55 AM, January 05, 2007  

  • I live in Rochester, NY and yesterday a hawk dive bombed my 60 lbs Springer Spaniel and viered away at the last momement when my dog looked up. In February, a hawk killed a duck in my back yard. A few weeks ago, one was sitting on my basket ball backboard watching my dog. When I made noise to scare it away, it swooped down towards me and then flew away. What's going on? Shouldn't they be afraid of large animals & people?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:16 AM, April 22, 2007  

  • I've recently had a few scares, myself. The poster from April and I have a lot in common! The first time, the hawk dove at my 10# Toy Fox Terrier, with me standing not 10 feet away. The second time a week later, it swooped at my 55# Australian Shepherd. Today, it swooped at ME and missed me by about a foot or so.

    I guess the only thing we can know for sure is that we must be extremely careful with ourselves and our pets when we're in a setting where wildlife is trying to adapt to humans.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:53 PM, June 20, 2007  

  • I've recently witnessed red tailed hawks preying on squirrels in our yard in suburban NYC. Worse, they've seen our miniature 9 lb. dachshund and have definitely and consistently been watching and stalking her. Small pets are NOT safe with hawks and should be leashed and accompanied at all times. I've read that large 4 pound hawks can lift 2x their body weight -- so an 8 lb. pet is at risk. Even if it can't be lifted, a small pet could be horribly maimed. It's just not worth it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:25 PM, August 09, 2007  

  • Is their a way to scare them away. I have 2 teacup yorkies.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:07 PM, August 15, 2007  

  • We have a 4 # Yorkie & a 10# Maltese. We noticed for the past couple of days a red-tailed hawk in our yard (on the lawn, on a tree branch, on the fence). I think it's stalking the dogs. How can we make sure it dosen't come back?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:57 PM, August 16, 2007  

  • I resided in NY and recently moved to GA. I was walking my 4lb Chihuahua on a leash a few days ago and a hawk swooped towards it twice. A few weeks later my husband walked the dog w/o a leash and sure indeed the hawk was able to grasp my dog and flew about 4 feet before it dropped my dog. Luckily 'Chimmy" was not harmed, but now I am afraid to walk my dog. The hawk attacked while 'Chimmy" was on a leash and while he was in the presence of my husband. What can I do? Should I report this? I have a newborn whom I take on strolls and it just freaks me out.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:01 PM, October 21, 2007  

  • We live in an rural area with both hawks and eagles. I have 5 dogs, 2 mixed breeds and 3 poodles. They all make a racket when anything strange comes around. Our door opens into our dog pen, and Mama and Daddy keep the gun loaded behind the door just in case. I'd hate to have to use it, but I would if I had to.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:43 AM, December 23, 2007  

  • We live in south Georgia and there are about 8 hawks that fly around our property daily. They have swooped down at my 4 pound chihuahua twice and now I am terrified to let her out, even when I am with her. They do not seem to care that I am right there. I do not intimidate them, nor does my Chow or Beagle. I want to kill the hawks.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:45 PM, January 09, 2008  

  • Is there anything that the small dog can wear that scares away hawks or eagles? Also short of killing them by shooting them do any kind of sounds scare hawks and eagles, i.e. horn, some kind of whistle, anything they can hear that drives them nuts that maybe doesn't drive other animals nuts? Some kind of huge white bird, hawk or eagle was sitting on my back fence. It flew away when I approached it but I have 3 cats, 3 dogs, and 2 rabbits (they stay inside). I recently got a chihuahua and it would literally cause me a heart attack if one got her.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:22 PM, February 03, 2008  

  • we live in Mid-maryland in a developed area, I havea fed birds for many years, now the hawks are within feet of my back door..Waiting for my birds. We also have a cat & dog, I'm trying to be careful with them. HELP

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:02 PM, February 09, 2008  

  • I had a cooper hawk attack me inside my pigeon loft. I had the door open to pour some water outside. I tunned around and the hawk hit me in the side of my head.
    One of his tallons dug in just behind my left eye. Blood was dripping down the side of my face.
    I was very lucky not to have lost my eye!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:41 AM, February 17, 2008  

  • Yesterday our little Toy Fox Terrier was killed by a hawk. It got her right under our bedroom window and by the time we got outside she was gone. My husband found her two houses down in the alley, dead. We are heart broken.
    If we get another small dog, she will NOT be allowed outside without one of us with her.

    By Blogger Nancy, at 8:38 AM, February 21, 2008  

  • I live on the water on the boston harbor, with a large open yard. We have had consistent hawk sitings every year. They kill the shore birds that feed off the back of our yard. today the hawk made an incredibly fast swooping attempt at my 10# chihuahua and I was so shaken. There would have been nothing I could have done if he grabbed him. I am so sorry to those who have had pets injured or killed, it is so sad and I felt so helpless...I plan to keep a very close eye on him in the yard, but I am terrified.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:36 AM, February 29, 2008  

  • Last week my niece's Chihuahua was killed in their back yard, beneath the bird feeder. She is blaming her sister's Austrailian Shepherd, who has always been gentle with this dog and all small animals. The Shepherd had no blood on him, even though the Chihuahau was horribly injured. I must ask what the injuries would be like if a hawk had done this, because my niece is demanding the shepherd be euthanized. The small dog was slit at the throat, and slit 3 places in the abdomen. There were no puncture wounds and she was still breathing on the way to the vet, where she was euthanized. Her ribs were not broken, no bones were broken. Can anyone describe the wounds from a hawk?

    By Blogger NancyJ, at 2:56 PM, March 08, 2008  

  • If a hawk killed your niece's chihuahua, it would have flew off with it and ate it. Hawks don't attack something if it doesn't intend to eat it.

    By Blogger Steve, at 7:32 PM, March 08, 2008  

  • I have a 4-month-old Boston Terrier, about 6 lbs. Today I took her into my tiny backyard and immediately two hawks began circling just above my roof and getting way too close for comfort. I did a google search and found this page. Needless to say my puppy will never be left alone in the yard again, even for ten seconds. I guess I should carry rocks or something to throw, since it seems from these other account that the hawks don't care about people being close by, or even attached by a leash.

    -Mike in Bethlehem, PA

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:37 AM, April 10, 2008  

  • I lost my beloved Max (6 lb. yorkie mix, rescue dog)one month ago to what seemed to be an attack from a hawk. I live in Orlando, Fl. and was away on business when my father, whom always watched and loved Max, cared for him. Max decided to sneak by my father late one evening when he opened the door and take himself out for what he must of thought was a quick walk. Sadly, my Dad did not realize it, and assumed Max was in a guest bedroom and went to bed. As you can imagine, he was in shock the following morning to realize Max was gone. After extensive search efforts, extreme cash rewards, 100+ color posters, even a pet-detective from out-of state (I know how that sounds but we were desperate), we found what was left of Max 4 days later. It seems as though a hawk had their way with him. I also learned that hawks clean their nests after they have consumed what they are interestd in. Needless to say, the grief and heartbreak is haunting and overwhelming. My father will never forgive himself and I am beyond devastated. I NEVER could have comprehended such a tragedy could occur, but if anyone can benefit from tragedy and realize what hawks are capable of with ssmaller dogs, I hope our heartbreak helps someone else keep their little dog safe. PJ

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:46 PM, April 11, 2008  

  • My 3lb, 20 month old chihuahua narrowly escaped a hawk attack just 2 weeks ago. We live in the country on 12 acres. I got busy with my horses and lost sight of her and her 6lb mother so I was off to find them. Just then I heard a horrible non-stop cry coming from the baby chi. As I ran to her aid a large hawk flew over me and she ran up the yard to the house. She had a puncture wound to the skull, 3 puncture/cuts on her front quarter and 3 on her hind quarter. I was horrified. NEVER, NEVER leave your babies unattended!! Her angels saved her that day and we are so greatful. I will never let my chis outside without supervision again. I'm also researching fencing with wires along the top to keep the hawks out. Please BE AWARE!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:08 PM, April 27, 2008  

  • I live in a wooded subdivision and have witnessed at least 4 hawks scavenging around our house for nearly two years now. I am currently babysitting for my daughter's mini dachshund and as I watched her in our backyard the other day, I witnessed two hawks circling and screeching overhead. Lucy yapped and barked, but I don't know if that would have scared them away. I brought her inside and am sure that left unattended they might have tried to harm her.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:02 PM, July 18, 2008  

  • I live in Milford, CT and last summer a large hawk swooped down in an attempt to carry off my 20 lb dog who was on a leash. She looked up and began barking wildly at it, and it swerved away at the last minute. It startled the heck out of me and although I am sure it wouldn't have been able to carry her off, it would certainly have caused some damage. I can imagine that a smaller, younger or older, dog would'nt have been so lucky.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:51 AM, July 21, 2008  

  • I live in Ridgefield CT and am having problems with a red-shouldered hawk that is constantly doing aerial dives at me when I am on various parts of the property (acre and a half)while just yesterday making hair-on-my-head skirting contact as it leveled out of its 40 mile per hour swoop. Brood and nest protection could be the motive. Still, it's scary to be denied access to your own land because of fear of aerial attacks from wildlife.

    By Anonymous Mickey C, at 8:53 AM, July 24, 2008  

  • Our little 4-pound chihuahua got attacked by a hawk, not once, but twice! My husband was standing right next to our dog when the hawk swooped down and landed on our poor little fellow. Our dog sustained horrible injuries on his had and neck and it's still uncertain what neurological damage he has sustained from the attack. So WATCH your small pets closely because it happens so quickly and you do not see it coming. P.S. - Hawks are federally protected where we live. So relocation is the only alternative.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:00 AM, July 24, 2008  

  • I would just add that the risk isn't limited to rural areas. I live in Washington, DC and had our two dogs off the leash outside of our condo building this past weekend, in an area with large trees. As I was looking for a ball in some vines I turned around to see a large hawk swooping down on our dogs, which are about ten pounds each, both of which were 10 - 20 feet away from me. The hawk got within a couple of feet above one before I started shouting, and just as quickly flew back up to a tree above us. The dogs didn't react at all and may not have even seen the bird. This is an area where I would regularly take the dogs out to run around and we've never had a similar encounter (meaning this isn't a hawk with a nest nearby). I feel like the hawk wasn't in full attack mode or, despite being close bye, I couldn't have done anything about it. Even if the dogs are too large to carry off, I suspect the bird would have tried to make a meal of them. I've previously seen a hawk on the ground right in front of the White House making a meal of something, and it wasn't the least bit concerned by the people walking nearby and wasn't making any effort to fly off with whatever it was eating (probably a squirrel).

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:05 AM, August 25, 2008  

  • I was outside sitting on the patio tonight, as usual, talking with my brother while my 3.5 lb yorkie played ball with us......She was about 30 feet away from me lying in the grass when I saw a red tailed hawk swoop down into the yard after her. I screamed and jumped to my feet and ran towards my dog--the hawk turned and didn't attack--thank God...I think I may have startled it. My dog was completely unaware of how close she came to becoming dinner! I am scared to death to take her outside to potty now....My brother said it is illegal to shoot the hawk...Does anyone know if this is true...I live in Pennsylvania..........Watch your Yorkies closely!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:32 PM, August 25, 2008  

  • I was sitting on my back porch about 10 feet away from my yorkie. A 3-4 foot hawk must have been stalking it from around the other side of the house. It swooped around the house and came 10 feet of my 5 pound yorkie. I dont know how I could've stood up so quickly, but I must've distracted the bird. The hawks are natural predators and our dogs are natural prey. Dont hawks go away for the winter time or something??? I hope I can have some relief come November. (im in the north hills, pa)

    By Blogger Roseanne Rogan, at 11:35 AM, October 14, 2008  

  • It is illegal to shoot hawks and other raptors by the
    Migratory Bird Treaty Act. I have dogs and I love wild birds. Though it clearly occurs, it is still rare for hawks to attack dogs. A thousand times more dogs are killed by cars than hawks--are you going to shoot at cars? Please use some common sense.

    By Blogger SRM, at 10:15 PM, October 28, 2008  

  • SRM ,

    After reading these stories it doesnt sound like its rare for a hawk to attack a small pet . I've had the bastards buzz me and its quite scarey . Perhaps YOU should use some common sense , besides, your comparison to shooting at cars is lame . The laws concerned with hawk protection are 80 years old and outdated . They were written in a different period of time when many birds were being desimated for their feathers and other body parts . Those outdated laws should be relaxed and a person should be able to legally shoot or trap a threat to you and your family's pets (not to mention other wildlife and especially game birds ) . Not wanton killing mind you , but able to protect your pets and livestock from them without fear of a totally unrealistic and unfair fine with possible jail time . Now THATS common sense my friend !

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:53 PM, November 14, 2008  

  • I find it quite sad that so many who identify themselves as "animal lovers" seem to either lack the skills or lack the motivation to have a civil disagreement. The tone of your message, and especially the personalizing ("Perhaps YOU should use some common sense"), precludes any mature dialogue. But then anyone who posts a message as "anonymous" often is uninterested in dialogue, just taking pot-shots.

    No your assertions are not "common sense" just your opinion.

    By Blogger SRM, at 10:11 PM, November 14, 2008  

  • I was walking my 18lb Terrier Mix in an open field at a park yesterday. He was running around unleashed about 40 feet away from me. I looked up & noticed two hawks circling overhead, and it seems as they were getting closer. I immediately called my dog over, and put him on the leash. Soon, the hawks were joined by a few more hawks, then finally there had to be about 20 hawks, circling us. I picked up my dog, and quickly headed back to my Jeep, which was parked on the opposite side of the field. My dog was oblivious, but I was totally freaked out. About half way back, dog in my arms, most of the hawks disappeared. Even though it was about 40 degrees Farenheit, I was covered with sweat by the time we returned to the Jeep! Ack!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:59 AM, November 25, 2008  

  • Actually, SRM, that anonymous poster was using common sense. It sounds like your difference in opinion is causing you to assume they are being immature. If something attacks your dog, you defend your dog. That is common sense. Doesn't mean you should go out Hawk Hunting, but you should certainly be allowed to defend your property and pets. And I highly doubt that if someone shot a hawk that was attacking a pet, a judge would ever enforce that law on a pet owner defending its loved one. Hopefully common sense would prevail there as well.

    By Blogger EricB, at 10:28 AM, December 28, 2008  

  • I live in the city and now just recently have had a hawk stalk our toy pomeranian during the day and only flew off when I went towards the dog but alos an owl (we believe) swoop down on her late at night when I let her out and again flew off as I went towards the dog to get her. I do watch the trees all of the time now and was hoping I could do something short of shooting the birds (definately against the law in the city to discharge a gun) that would cause these birds of prey to leave this area. This is in Mt. Pleasant, MI.

    By Anonymous ron, at 1:43 PM, February 08, 2009  

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