Dog Killed By Bird In Fairless Hills, SPCA Confirms

A small dog was killed by a bird of prey in Bucks County last week, officials with the local SPCA have confirmed. The SPCA said the wounds on a six-pound Chihuahua found dead last week in Fairless Hills were consistent with a bird's talon.

"We can’t say for certain what kind of bird it was, but probably a hawk or owl," Bucks County SPCA Chief Humane Society Police Officer Nikki Thompson said.

According to a report by 6ABC, the dog had wandered off in his neighborhood late last week. He commonly did that but would come back, his owner, Louis Moschitti, told the network. The dog did not return this time. Sadly, he was found deceased with puncture wounds just blocks from his home.

The wounds in his side were examined by the SPCA, which determined it was in fact a bird of prey that killed the dog.

Thompson said bird attacks on dogs happen more often than people would think. Thompson said she hears about similar attacks on dogs a few times a year. Chickens are also common victims of the bird attacks, she noted.

Last month, veterinarians in New Jersey warned the public after a dog was attacked by a hawk while he was in his backyard. Thankfully, that pet survived.

There are things you can do to prevent your dog from being a victim, experts advise.

"Always be with your small dogs when they are outdoors. It’s not a guarantee that a hawk won’t try to swoop down and pick them up, but it is a bit of a deterrent," Thompson said.

If you must leave your pets outdoors unattended, put them in an area that has an overhead cover, Thompson said. And if you have more than one pet, make sure that they are outside together. "Birds of prey tend to find it easier to hunt singular animals than risk being attacked by another animal," Thompson added.

Photo: A red-tailed hawk wings through the hazy sky via Shutterstock