Warning to those with smaller pets on Northwood (and elsewhere)

[Tgutr]

There are hawks in the area that will take small animals. I was about 20 feet from a hawk this morning that dove at some of my smaller dogs (but luckily not THAT small for this size bird). As soon as it got almost down to them it went back up. BUT I have one really small dog that was in the house that it could have carried.

[hays1122]

That sounds like a freaky experience.
I guess that hawk was tired of the same old mice and snakes.

[Tgutr]

Very! Was very thankful my 4lb chihuahua was NOT outside at that time. I know my next door neighbors have WITNESSED them taking birds (they raise fancy pigeons)..
and I guess they thought they might be able to get my dogs.

[matokeya]

What most people don't realize when this type of thing happens is this...We, as humans, have encroached upon their, the animals, homes. We have destroyed their habitats and have caused their natural source of food to be destroyed as well because of the unnecessary construction that we think we need. We don't want to utilize what is already there and built. We want something new and different. As humans we all need to remember....the animals were here first. We ran them out because of our need for greed and our inability to use what is already provided.

[Shire_Driver]

I think the bottom line is animals are animals and they don't discriminate on a food source. If your small little dog or kitten, etc. is easily available, then they will take it.
I don't believe the reason for them doing this has anything to do with their habitats being destroyed. Not with hawks, owls, etc. Now, with coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, etc. sure, people are probably seeing more of them because of development, but again, they are seizing the opportunity for an easy meal. Garbage, small pets, etc.
I remember seeing my Dad mow the pasture with the tractor and the hawks and buzzards circling and diving because they were going for that newly revealed field mouse & nests.
Don't get me wrong, I don't like seeing subdivisions put in and all of this beautiful Hill Country turning into a big city, but I think that Tgutr was just giving an FYI that this does happen.

[countryboy]

Habitats of Birds just like other creatures are being destoyed.make no mistake about that.. Man cannot make do with What he has. Its always about what new things..They will spread out looking for greeners pastures and leave behind the spoils. I call it the Locus sydrome..Look at the core of most citys.

[matokeya]

Well said, countryboy. I agree wholeheartedly. Our society today doesn't care about who or what they destroy as they rape the land and pollute the water. Animals are animals whether they fly, walk slither or swim, they will do what is needed to survive. When their natural habitat is destroyed their natural food source is destroyed, they will do what is necessary to survive.

[Shire_Driver]

Sorry....the one post sorta came off as a tree hugging post, when the orginal post was more or less an FYI. Just didn't seem as though it belonged here. JMO :)

[mdarling]

Warning for Horseshoe Bay, also. Someone is poisoning cats. I know that recently two feral cats died from poisoning. Keep your house cats close to home.

[gardener]

Well, this is the country still, just barely though. Those newcomers moving in need to know we have predators like hawks, coyotes and mountain lions in these hills. They will adapt as necessary. And that means your pet is a potential meal. And you as well if the opportunity should arise.
Worse though is the feral dog, dropped off here in the country to find a good home.
They take up with the coyote pack and what you now have is a hungry predator with no fear of man.

[barbieko]

Actually not all predators are the four legged kind!