‘Miracle puppy’ survives after being snatched by a hawk and then being dropped in mid-air
- A helpless little puppy survived being dropped from mid-air by a hawk
- The dog was noticed by a group of construction workers who heard its cries
- Incredibly, the dog only had a few scratches and puncture wounds
- Austin Animal Center shelter have given the dog to a local family who is used to fostering dogs and will care for the pet until it is ready to be adopted
A little dog is lucky to be alive after being snatched by a hawk and then dropped to the ground by the bird of prey.
Incredibly, the tiny Chihuahua which weighs just one-pound had no broken bones, but had several scratches and punctures to its skin from the Texas hawk’s talons.
The puppy was found after a group of construction workers in Austin heard the dog crying.
A helpless little puppy survived being dropped mid-air by a hawk with just a few scratches
The dog has a number of grazes and puncture wounds after being dropped from midair
The little Chihuahua is expected to survive and it already making good progress in its recovery
When they went to look for it, the puppy fell to their feet from mid-air. As the workers looked up, they saw the hawk flying away.
‘This teeny tiny guy was picked up by a hawk and then subsequently dropped from mid-air,’ the Austin Animal Center wrote on their Facebook page. ‘We’d like to introduce you to this nugget, who we’ve all taken to calling Miracle Puppy. It’s a miracle that he not only survived but that the wounds on his head and chest are fairly mild.’
The veterinarian who took care of the pup, Lindsay Riddick, told KVUE that both the workers and the care team are delighted that the dog will survive.
‘We are so happy that this little fighter will live on to tell an incredible story,’ she said.
The dog looks far better now than he did when he was taken to the emergency clinic.
Right after the attack he had some puncture wounds on his head and in his ear and one on his chest, but luckily no broken bones and his wounds are now healing up nicely.
Once the dog’s conditoin had improved, Renee Keyes, who has fostered animals for years in the Austin area took care of him.
The dog is now living with Renee Bonifay Keyes’s family in Austin who fosters such pets
Keyes’s son, pictured, named the little dog Tony Hawk after the pro-skater
The family will look after the dog for another month before it is put up for adoption
The animal center is reminding the owners of small pets not to let them outside unsupervised
The family expects to have the pup for four weeks before having it adopted.
‘It was immediately … well, I have to him … you would think at least a broken bone but nothing … he’s a lucky lil’ guy,’ said Keyes.
‘He’s so tiny, so you can easily see why he might be mistaken for a rat and prey.’
Keyes’ family have named the pup Tony Hawk.
‘We will give him lots of love and socialization and then I will pick the perfect home for him to be adopted,’ said Keyes.
Austin Animal Center says that owners need to protect their small pets from wild animals. Wildlife such as hawks, owls and coyotes all prey on small animals.
‘Let Miracle Puppy’s story be a reminder to protect your small pets from wildlife,’ said the shelter. ‘Hawks, owls and coyotes will prey on small animals, even in your fenced backyard. If you have small pets, keep eyes on them at all times while outside.’
The dog looks far better now than he did when he was taken to the emergency clinic and he appeared to be healing up nicely