4-Pound Chihuahua Survives Owl Attack

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. - An owl attack has left a 4-pound Chihuahua with a healthy fear of the dark.

The attack happened when Chico the Chihuahua was out for a walk with his owner George Kalomiris in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake last week. Kalomiris says they were walking down the street when a great horned owl swooped down and tried to fly away with the 3-year-old dog.

Kalomiris says he kept a firm grip on Chico's leash as the bird dragged the dog across the sidewalk, and he managed to scare the owl away.

Chico was treated for a puncture wound caused by the owl's talons, and his owner says he's still traumatized. Kalomiris said the dog now refuses to go outside at night.

[pugglemania]

That is very sad, but I'm so glad the dog survived. How tramatic for the owner as well. I worry when my dog goes out to potty at night, I might have to start leashing him from now on. I have hawks here sometimes but they have never come close. If I were that dog I wouldn't go outside either.

[ArtfulGodfree]

Owl stalks chihuahua. Who gives a hoot?

[tsigili]

Sorry about that. Still, owls gotta eat too, ya know.

[AlanW33225]

Yet another great reason why all law-abiding people should carry handguns at all time. That owl would have been no match for my .40 cal.

[bsmi021]

And then turned on you fool. You are the reason why we need rules and laws

[are122]

So isn't the dog going to sue the city??

[Farver4girls]

When I was visiting Louisiana last autumn, a lady told me that she took her three lb. yorkie outside to urinate at 4 a.m. While she was standing in her back yard with her dog, a great horned owl swooped down, caught the yorkie and flew off with it.

The next morning the lady found her dog's legs. That was all that was left of the poor yorkie. The owl had bitten off his legs so he wouldn't be so heavy to carry. (I doubt the yorkie could fight back without legs.) The lady buried her dog's legs in her back yard.

Just remember that if a bird of prey will eat a rabbit, it will eat a small dog too.

[greennnnnn-2009]

Yeah, I was camping with my boyfriend one weekend. We always took his jack russell with us everywhere. We were sitting around the campfire one night with the dog. We heard these wings flapping loudly above us. We looked up and there were two big owls sitting on a limb overlooking us. Buggles (the dog) ran over to the tent and started scratching on the screen door to get inside. We let her in and zipped it up. She watched us from inside the tent for the rest of the night. It was really funny. But, those big birds (owls, hawks, etc.) will go after just about anything within reason.

[pak31]

Awww. I am glad the little guy survived. When I saw the title I assumed that it was going to be about an owner leaving the dog outside at night but was surprised that the owl actually attacked with the man there. Chico is lucky he was on the leash and that it wasn't a hawk. I think when those animals are hungry they'll go after what ever moves.