Almost lost my dog to an owl.

Armistead · 11-19-12, 12:29 PM

I generally walk by dog at night, wide open fields with nice paths beside a river.
I've seen owls in the tree's at night, often they take off from the tops as I walk at night and you can see them in the moonlight. I generally walk the trail to the golf course and walk there. Course, I could barely see the outline, but as my dog was running across the course, an owl tried to pick him up, actually did lift and drag him about 4 feet. Good thing my dog was a tad too big and mean for it.
Never even crossed my mind this would happen with this dog, weighs about 12 lb's and a lot of hair. He did have a few puncture marks that my daughter stitched up. However, I think my dog got a few good bites in.

I say owl, don't think it would be a hawk at night, hard to see, cept outline looks like one.

Red Brow · 11-19-12, 12:56 PM

Even though the dog may have been too large to fully carry away, those talons on the owl could cut through neck bones if landed just right. Maybe a small cloak of semi-thick leather.

My wife just reminded me that we know someone who saw her cat carried off by a large owl at night. The woman yelled to try to scare the owl. But the owl just ignored her but the cat froze to stare at her owner who was yelling. Cat was taken - never seen again.

nikimcbee · 11-19-12, 01:02 PM

Scary stuff. Do you know what kind of owl it was?

AVGWarhawk · 11-19-12, 01:36 PM

I have read and heard of hawks taking small dogs. My mother had 5 chihuahua and always stayed in the yard with them when they were out to do their business. I can not say I have heard a owl attempting this with a dog. Glad the little fella showed him what for and was safe.

Armistead · 11-19-12, 01:50 PM

I assume it was a Great Horned, they're rather common here. My guess is they stay in the woods at night on one side of the river, then sit it the tree tops at night and look for prey crossing the old golf course or fields. They do have a wing span of 4 ft and that was about right and can pick up 20 lbs.

I use to walk it during the day along the edge of the course, but if a golf ball happens to fly near my dog, well, he likes to fetch and he'll run a mile or so before he brings it back.

Anyway, I'll but his lighted collar back on. Dang dog chases anything here, coyotes, skunks, wild cats, etc...

Jimbuna · 11-19-12, 01:55 PM

A lucky escape...I'd be putting him on a very long leash in the future.

nikimcbee · 11-19-12, 02:08 PM

You need to make an owl-proof coat/armo(u)r for your dog.

Stealhead · 11-19-12, 02:15 PM

It might have been Barn Owl they live in most o North America.I have seen evidence of both Barn and Horned owls eating hares(wild rabbits) around here.Sometimes I will spot a half eaten hare carcass with owl feathers lying around.

I think the leash is a good idea for your dog if Carolina is anything like Florida there are plenty of things that will eat a little dog about.

I once was standing in the woods with my father around dusk and we witnessed this tom cat get grabbed by a Barn owl either the tom was too heavy or the owl had a bad grip because the tom dropped from about 15 feet up landed on his feet and split whether or not he survived the talon wounds I don't know.

Armistead · 11-19-12, 04:17 PM

Generally I leash walk him, cept when I get far enough into the woods where he can run and play. He has a big head and a good chomp, can handle most things around here.....cept not so sure about the owls.

I'll put his leather jacket on and xmas collar, that should confuse em...sounds like sleigh bells when it moves.

AVGWarhawk · 11-19-12, 04:27 PM

Time for some pooch protection!

Let's take this mother down!!

Betonov · 11-19-12, 04:30 PM

An owl tried to take my dog I'd probibly burn the forrest down in retaliation

It's hard for us to think about it, but our pets are still in the food chain. My neigbours cat was eaten by a fox. Gave me nightmares since I was a cat person when I was a child

nikimcbee · 11-19-12, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Time for some pooch protection!

Let's take this mother down!!

I approve of this post!

Jimbuna · 11-19-12, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Time for some pooch protection!

Let's take this mother down!!

Awesome....bring it on!!

Cybermat47 · 11-19-12, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Time for some pooch protection!

Let's take this mother down!!

Needs more spikes

Jimbuna · 11-19-12, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybermat47

Needs more spikes

No....the bird needs sharper talons

11-19-12, 12:29 PM	#1
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Almost lost my dog to an owl. I generally walk by dog at night, wide open fields with nice paths beside a river. I've seen owls in the tree's at night, often they take off from the tops as I walk at night and you can see them in the moonlight. I generally walk the trail to the golf course and walk there. Course, I could barely see the outline, but as my dog was running across the course, an owl tried to pick him up, actually did lift and drag him about 4 feet. Good thing my dog was a tad too big and mean for it. Never even crossed my mind this would happen with this dog, weighs about 12 lb's and a lot of hair. He did have a few puncture marks that my daughter stitched up. However, I think my dog got a few good bites in. I say owl, don't think it would be a hawk at night, hard to see, cept outline looks like one.

11-19-12, 12:56 PM	#2
Red Brow A-ganger Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 72 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Your are lucky Even though the dog may have been too large to fully carry away, those talons on the owl could cut through neck bones if landed just right. Maybe a small cloak of semi-thick leather. My wife just reminded me that we know someone who saw her cat carried off by a large owl at night. The woman yelled to try to scare the owl. But the owl just ignored her but the cat froze to stare at her owner who was yelling. Cat was taken - never seen again. Last edited by Red Brow; 11-19-12 at 01:11 PM.

11-19-12, 01:02 PM	#3
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Scary stuff. Do you know what kind of owl it was? __________________

11-19-12, 01:55 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,525 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	A lucky escape...I'd be putting him on a very long leash in the future. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-19-12, 02:08 PM	#7
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	You need to make an owl-proof coat/armo(u)r for your dog. __________________

11-19-12, 01:36 PM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,256 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I have read and heard of hawks taking small dogs. My mother had 5 chihuahua and always stayed in the yard with them when they were out to do their business. I can not say I have heard a owl attempting this with a dog. Glad the little fella showed him what for and was safe.

11-19-12, 01:50 PM	#5
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	I assume it was a Great Horned, they're rather common here. My guess is they stay in the woods at night on one side of the river, then sit it the tree tops at night and look for prey crossing the old golf course or fields. They do have a wing span of 4 ft and that was about right and can pick up 20 lbs. I use to walk it during the day along the edge of the course, but if a golf ball happens to fly near my dog, well, he likes to fetch and he'll run a mile or so before he brings it back. Anyway, I'll but his lighted collar back on. Dang dog chases anything here, coyotes, skunks, wild cats, etc...

11-19-12, 02:15 PM	#8
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	It might have been Barn Owl they live in most o North America.I have seen evidence of both Barn and Horned owls eating hares(wild rabbits) around here.Sometimes I will spot a half eaten hare carcass with owl feathers lying around. I think the leash is a good idea for your dog if Carolina is anything like Florida there are plenty of things that will eat a little dog about. I once was standing in the woods with my father around dusk and we witnessed this tom cat get grabbed by a Barn owl either the tom was too heavy or the owl had a bad grip because the tom dropped from about 15 feet up landed on his feet and split whether or not he survived the talon wounds I don't know.

11-19-12, 04:17 PM	#9
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Generally I leash walk him, cept when I get far enough into the woods where he can run and play. He has a big head and a good chomp, can handle most things around here.....cept not so sure about the owls. I'll put his leather jacket on and xmas collar, that should confuse em...sounds like sleigh bells when it moves.

11-19-12, 04:27 PM	#10
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,256 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Time for some pooch protection! Let's take this mother down!!

11-19-12, 04:30 PM	#11
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	An owl tried to take my dog I'd probibly burn the forrest down in retaliation It's hard for us to think about it, but our pets are still in the food chain. My neigbours cat was eaten by a fox. Gave me nightmares since I was a cat person when I was a child