Expert: Julia Booth - 10/21/2008

Question
Yesterday I saw a very big great horned owl (I'm quite sure thats the species) swoop across my yard and then perch up in a tree. He seemed to be eyeing up my 10 pound dog, a little yorkie. He repeated his swoop and perch move 3 times before taking off. Perhaps its my imagination that he's actually sizing up my dog as a potential meal, but I don't want to take any chances, I've heard of large birds of prey taking cats and dogs. My question is: a) am I being overly paranoid? how likely is it that this owl is in fact eyeing my dog for dinner, and could he actually succeed or is my dog too big? b) assuming the owl is a threat, what can I do to discourage it from hanging out around my yard and stalking my dog?  Thank you!

Answer
I'm not going to tell you that you're overreacting only because I can't be sure that you are. Great Horned Owls don't typically prey on puppies and cats. But they certainly can and have eaten things of comparable size. If you think your Yorkie is in danger, I would bring him inside at night.

October and November is generally when owls are finding their mates. Great Horned Owls are specifically territorial and often resentful of anything that is perceived as an intrusion on their territory. It could mean that he/she is planning to nest there and views your dog as a threat.

Either way, same advice as generally given to parents. If you think your pet is in danger, it probably is.

Generally people don't look to discourage owls from coming near their home, since they are such excellent deterrents of much more unpleasant pests. I have no idea how I would go about getting rid of one. A Great Horned Owl, once determined, usually cannot be stopped. The rodent population depends on it.

So, like I said, I'd bring the dog inside. Better safe than sorry.

Hope this helps,

Julia