Will a Hawk Attack a Small Dog in Its Yard?

Owning a four-legged friend comes with many different responsibilities, a major one being protecting the little guy. If you have a small dog who spends a lot of time in your yard, the dangers of attacks by hawks are indeed an important consideration. Birds of prey do occasionally prey on canines, after all, and sometimes with deadly results.

  1. Size

    • Big hawks can easily make prey out of small dogs, particularly those who weigh less than 20 pounds. If you have a dog such as a lhasa apso, shih tzu, Maltese or Yorkshire terrier, the concept of a hawk attack in your yard isn't at all implausible. Note, however, that hawks tend to gravitate more toward dogs who are by themselves. If a pooch is in the company of a couple other canines, a hawk might leave her alone -- although there are no guarantees.

    Survival Story

    • Not only are hawks capable of attacking small dogs in their backyards, the actual scenario has happened many times. In winter 2010, a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) grabbed a wee Chihuahua by the neck. However, the desperate cries of the dog's owner -- along with the actual barking from the cutie himself -- caused the hawk to give up and let go of her. The Chihuahua, who weighed a mere 3.5 pounds, had a neck full of claw marks after the incident. Fortunately, the little dog -- called Kokonutz -- survived.

    Fatal Incidents

    • Although Kokonutz lived to bark the tale, many other dogs who have been attacked in yards by hawks weren't as lucky. A miniature pinscher who was seized by a big hawk was able to escape his grasp, but dropped so far down to the ground that he suffered serious head injuries. The hawk's claws also cut a hole into the miniature pinscher's lungs. He passed away shortly after the attack, before he even made it to a veterinary hospital.

    Caution

    • Since hawk attacks are indeed a perilous possibility, the smart solution is to always carefully monitor your small dog while he plays in the yard, no matter what. For extended play sessions, a spacious wire kennel might be a good idea. Remember too that the hazards of the animal kingdom go far beyond just hawks. Bears, snakes and coyotes are just a few examples of animals that can easily attack wee canines.