Folks, protect your pets, esp cats and small dogs. Predators are being sighted

[Bernardo de La Paz]

Last edited Thu Apr 16, 2020, 11:07 PM - Edit history (2)

(on edit: added some predators)

Coyotes
Eagles
Hawks
Owls

They can carry away small pets. Yards that may seem secure from penetration might not be and probably aren't from above. A thread in DU Lounge about a Visitor in the Neighborhood had a photo of a Bald Eagle.

[roamer65]

1. It's getting common in MI.

The bald eagle population is increasing and when you have a nest of screaming eaglets, it all looks like dinner from 150 ft up.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Hawks like to pick up small pets too.

[tblue37]

5. So do larger owls. nt

[CozyMystery]

9. We have Great Horned Owls

I looked it up when my dog was a puppy and those owls can carry away animals who weigh up to 16 lbs.!

[BigmanPigman]

11. They are scary.

My 14 lb dog was going to be dinner for one, even her red argyle sweater wasn't a deterrent.

[Renew Deal]

3. There was a mountain lion in a tree above a house in Colorado recently.

https://www.dailycamera.com/2020/04/02/mountain-lion-spotted-in-boulder-backyard-thursday

[2naSalit]

4. Reclaiming territory.

They are looking to see if we left our pets outside. And don't forget owls. One of my cats got attacked by an owl, she got away and survived it but it was a waker upper.

[msongs]

6. bald eagles prefer scavenging. they can only lift about 4 pounds. your pitbull is safe

https://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle3.html

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. Except. Eagles will attack much larger prey on the

ground. They can take down small deer and goats and lambs . Sometimes 2 eagles will attack a larger animal together.

We don't worry about eagles in the city but we have lots of hawks and owls.

A hawk attacked a french bulldog. They look small but they are like little bowling balls. The hawk took off but that little dog had really bad lacerations.

[niyad]

7. One of many reasons my cats have always been indoors. We have plenty of wildlife around

here, including bears and big cats.

[Grokenstein]

8. I'm glad to see nature thriving for a change BUT YEAH

...keep your animals safe.

I'm not looking forward to humans running wild again. There'll be some Netflix series featuring Junior and Eric leading "Reclaim Our Cities" hunts as they pile into the newest compensation-mobiles and chase down and shoot stray animals (and occasional humans) found on the streets and then pose with "trophies."

[Xolodno]

10. Two cats...

...and they are indoor only.

[Blue Owl]

12. Good reminder!

n/t

[FreeState]

13. We have a golden eagle that went after a squirrel

The squirl got away - but our dogs aren’t allowed outside without us anymore (5lbs each).

[mnhtnbb]

19. Years ago I was sitting in my 3rd floor study and I saw a hawk fly by

with a squirrel in its talons! That was when I lived in Chapel Hill (NC). Right in town, but woods around us. We had lots of hawks and owls. Occasional coyote. Fox. Plenty of deer and raccoons. I think, one year, from the sound of it, we even had a bobcat.

Yesterday I was watching turkey vultures flying around at eye level from my 17th floor apartment in downtown Raleigh.

[renate]

14. Thanks for this warning!

I feel on edge already and now the idea of my little dog being attacked has me all sad. Thanks for this warning! I’ll be sure not to leave her alone on the deck any more.

[GulfCoast66]

15. You really should not allow you cat to roam outside.

If you do I’m not here to scold. But the fact is our native songbirds are already under great pressure and they did not evolve to face Near Eastern Wildcats which is in essence what house cats still are. At least when hunting. They are specialist at catching birds. And unlike dogs we have been unable to breed that out of them. They remain predators at heart. And are just too good at catching birds. The wife has 2 cats which are well cared for. Inside.

As to the subject of this thread, unlike 20 years ago I rarely see cats outside and often see lost cat fliers on telephone poles. Started about the time I started seeing coyotes in the neighborhood. A cat does not stand a chance against them because coyotes are totally wild and will be on a house at before it is even seen.

Small dogs the same. And I know a guy at work who watched an eagle carry off his beloved pet.

I love seeing predators adapt and return. But there are some downsides.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. Good points and fairly stated. . . . . nt

[Tracer]

18. Cayotes are becoming a common sight.

I had my smallish dogs out on a local trail and when we turned around to start for home, a coyote crossed the trail not 60' away from us.

There also have been sightings of black bear in my town.

I do NOT live in a rural area, but in a suburb of Boston.