HAWKS AND SMALL DOGS

Can a hawk swoop down and take a small dog?

Maybe, according to Herb Roberts, an animal curator

at the Memphis Zoo.

Hawks are usually looking for rodents like mice

and rats and even rabbits.


Dogs are larger than most rodents so it may be hard

to fly off with them. -- But it has happened.

Also dogs don't act like most prey.

They will bark, bite and fight.

But that doesn't mean a hawk or other birds of prey

can't kill a small dog or a cat.
The birds can swoop in with a powerful death blow using

their talons to kill the animal. They will eat their prey

where they kill it.

Small dogs and cats are also vulnerable to raccoons,

coyotes and foxes, Roberts said.
Tiny dogs should probably always have some adult supervision

while outside or at least be outside with children or other humans.