Hawk Attacks Chihuahua

http://www.local6.com ^ | UPDATED: 10:53 a.m. EDT August 6, 2003 | http://www.local6.com

[Tank-FL]

NEW YORK -- It was like a Wild Kingdom fight for survival in Manhattan's Bryant Park. A hawk attacked a Chihuahua dog Tuesday.

The hawk is in the park as part of a program to scare away pigeons and rodents. However, the dog was on a leash near some bushes when the hawk swooped down.

Thomas Cullen, the falconer who is in charge of the hawks, said the bird may have mistaken the dog for a rat.

A few people were able to separate the bird and dog. The dog suffered wounds and was being treated.

The Bryant Park Restoration Committee, which hired Cullen and his hawks, said it may suspend the program.

[Hatteras]

Hmmm, you too, huh? Well, that story seems to have gotten around. LOL!

[vin-one]

you know, my little Alex, chewed up everything as a puppy,
he used to get sick a lot, so rather than run down three flights of stairs I would stick him in the bathtub
about a year later, if he needed to do his business he would go in the tub rather than wake me up
wonderful dog, came to get us when the baby would cry
after the first year, of eating everything, was the best dog,
well behaved, smart, quick, agile like a cat

[Lazamataz]

Hawks are wonderful. They ain't skiert of nuttin.

Well, THAT'S not entirely true. The first month or so after you trap a hawk for falconing, you go into the mew daily or more often to feed it and what you are doing is teaching it that you are not intending to eat it. At that time it is terrified of you and will bate (flap it's wings without effect) at every occasion whenever you enter the mew.

[Lazamataz]

Awww. Sweet story. Good little dog. Chihuahua's are similar, you know.

[Tank-FL]

Stuart Little - anyone ?

Didn't he have a run-in with a bird of prey?

[Bobibutu]

Actually - yes - I was writing up a group insurange policy for the Lady that owned the Chevron gas station and her employees.

I lived and had my insurance office in Anchorage and would drive the state to pick up more business as most of the agents preferred to stay in the Anchorage area. Fine with me - I liked to drive the state and did alot.

BTW the Readers Digest story is incorrect... no lake - Valdez AK is where the oil pipeline ends - the oil stored and pumped onto tankers.

No grassy area - the gas station drive area - the eagle nailed the dog about 15-20 feet in front of the motorhome.

[mhking]

Stimpy! Stop that hawk from taking Ren!

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[js1138]

I love the way Les Nessman pronounced it on WKRP -- ChaHuAwah.

[Mike Darancette]

Guy in the house behind us had guests who let their teacup Poodle in a fenced of area next to the paddock. Last I saw of that dog it was soaring over the Eucalyptus Trees in the Ckutches of the biggest Owl I have ever seen. I really hated to have to tell them.

[Hatteras]

Okay, I've got another one. This came from a hunting friend of mine:

A fellow in town hunts with hawks. He had bought a new young hawk and was training him. Now, it sounds as though Laz can correct me if this is wrong, but he had a radio collar or band of some type on the bird in case the bird did not return on it's initial solo voyage.

The guy's fears came true as the bird did not return so he turned on his tracker and started across the field to the woods in the distance. Without any luck and with darkness setting in he gave up for the night. The next morning he returned and picked up the signal which led him to a large tree. At the base of the tree he found a pile of small dog and cat collars. About 60 feet up in this tree, he saw a large owl's nest.

[Conspiracy Guy]

That is typical of training any adult wild animal. I know of hawks raised from the egg that imprinted on the trainer at hatching. This is of course illegal I believe. But adult wild animals are usually afraid of humans. I have seen Hawks tuck their wings and dive like a rock for several thousand feet to pull out just above the ground. Hawks are as thick as flies in Alabama but much more majestic. We have turkey buzzards as big as Cessna 1502's here also.

[abishai]

My parents have a Min-pin. Its the most hyperactive animal I have ever seen. As a pup he would bound off the sofas and chairs and even jump up into my arms as I stood up. I called him Kangaroo because of the way he would constantly jump up and down on his hind legs. Now he's a bit older and mellowing out (barely). Part of the mellowing is by discipline - a very smart dog too. I met a guy that said he had THREE Min-pins! That's insane, there's too much dynamite in such a small package.

[Tank-FL]

News Flash

Hawk in Action..

[Conspiracy Guy]

1502 = 152 I fell so stoopid.

[Lazamataz]

That is typical of training any adult wild animal. I know of hawks raised from the egg that imprinted on the trainer at hatching. This is of course illegal I believe.

Raising from the egg is not illegal with proper permits, but people who raise from the egg are usually VERY careful to avoid imprinting, even to the point of having hawk costumes (and a hawk mask!). A very knowledgeable rehabber I knew had hawk puppets and a hawk costume for hatchlings, and it worked!

If you take a hawk from the wild, you have to know enough about aging a hawk (knowing how old it is by the feathers) not to take a bird younger than one year. If it's too young, it will imprint, and when you have an imprinted bird, it's almost useless for hunting and CONSTANTLY screeches -- therefore most falconers will take pains to avoid a bird that is too young. Generally you want to catch a bird that is 1.5 to 5 years old.

I have seen Hawks tuck their wings and dive like a rock for several thousand feet to pull out just above the ground.

That's a hunting dive. They saw their prey from several thousand up and were coming in for a kill. If they pulled out and didn't strike, it's because the animal got away.

Hawks are as thick as flies in Alabama but much more majestic.

Same in GA. I haven't typed what sort of birds you have here but Illinois was Redtail territory.

[Bobibutu]

Can't help you on that one -

[ArneFufkin]

Speaking of scary All-time birdies

[Lazamataz]

My parents have a Min-pin. Its the most hyperactive animal I have ever seen. As a pup he would bound off the sofas and chairs and even jump up into my arms as I stood up.

You gotta teach minipins not to get on furniture. But yes, they are bouncy bouncy dogs. I remember one time when Thor was bouncing up and down and I started to do the same. We ended up both bouncing at the same time. My wife-at-the-time burst into uncontrollable laughter at this ridiculous sight.

Part of the mellowing is by discipline

Minipins need more training than most dogs just to be a good addition in the house. My Thor baby was very well disciplined and was a joy. Now Penny Pinscher -- she was a different story. The puppy was originally bought for me, but I barely got any time to train it. I think I had three months with her.

a very smart dog too.

Minipins are brilliant.

I met a guy that said he had THREE Min-pins! That's insane, there's too much dynamite in such a small package.

I could see two between two people, but three is insane.

[dc27]

You have me worried. I never thought to worry about a hawk snacking on my koi. I have some large koi and would be very pissed if a hawk ate one.

[Conspiracy Guy]

We have redtail and many smaller varieties. I just couldn't take a hawk from the wild. They are my wild counterpart. At least that is what my Cherokee Great Grandmother told my folks when I was born. She was weird and I only knew her til I was 6 or 7. I spot Redtails a mile off the road in a hedgerow while driving at 75. It freaks passengers out when I point and tell them where to look.