Seagull Carries Away Dog from Garden in Devon, England

[appalachiablue]

A dog owner has asked for help to be reunited with her miniature chihuahua after a seagull took it from a garden in Devon. Becca Hill, 24, from Paignton, has appealed for information about four-year-old Gizmo, who was carried away on Sunday afternoon.

She told the Devon Live website: “My partner was in the garden putting the washing out at the time and suddenly he saw it swoop down. It carried Gizmo a fair way as we couldn’t see him any more. I have no idea if he was dropped or where he is now.”
Hill also wrote on Facebook: “Please, please, please, anyone finds a chihuahua he’s mine, a seagull took him from my garden.” She said her six-year-old daughter was upset and missing the dog but did not witness Gizmo being taken away.
Hill posted an update on Facebook today, saying: “My baby is still missing. Doesn’t feel right not waking up to him licking my face.”

The chihuahua is brown and white and its breed only grows to about 23 cm (9 in) tall. Hill, who owns three chihuahuas, said she had heard reports of seagulls snatching dogs but never expected it to happen to her.

Several people are helping with the search and anyone with information is asked to call 07774 724797. The search resumed on Monday with leaflets distributed in the local area. UAV Lost Dog Search & Rescue, a local organisation, has urged households to check their gardens, rooftops, trees and hedges...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/22/seagull-carries-away-dog-from-garden-devon

[hlthe2b]

1. It would be devastating. Important to note one's pet's vulnerabilities, though.

I despair of all the "lost cat and dog" posters in my neighborhood. Heavens, some of those red-tailed hawks and Great Horned owls are big enough to take out even an adult cat. (not to mention the coyotes).

[appalachiablue]

4. Major predators, those large birds, coyotes & fox in my area..

Poor Gizmo!

[Fla Dem]

2. Omg, feel so bad for the family. Didn't know a seagull could do that. They have web feet.

It's not like a hawk or eagle with talons. So did it grab the dog with its mouth? I've seen seagulls do that in the ocean swoop in and grab a fish with its mouth, but really, a dog!

[appalachiablue]

5. Surprising yes, I never heard of them going after a small dog.

It doesn't say but I wonder what the maximum weight for that breed is.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Maximum weight for a gull is 5.5 pounds; the dog weighed over 4 pounds

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-49070562

Frankly, I don't think this happened. I don't think a gull could pick up something over half its weight in its beak and then fly away. I suspect the partner failed to look after the dog in some way and made up the story about the gull.

Gulls may attack small animals, but carrying one that size away just doesn't seem feasible. As well as the required strength (in beak and flying muscles), there's the balance - the gull would topple forward.

[appalachiablue]

8. Thanks for the info., it's seeming more like a possible hoax

although I believe Herring gulls can attack if they think their nest is threatened as in this 2015 story.



Gizmo and owner.

Dog Pecked to Death in Cornwall Garden Attack, 2015
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/11740893/Pet-dog-pecked-to-death-by-seagull-in-horrific-garden-attack.html

[magicarpet]

3. The Last Hurrah view for the dog up on high must gave been quite the thrill...

... hope it had a soft landing and is wandering around looking to find its way home.

[marble falls]

6. When the buzzards are around my home (in a large town), my cat stays in the house.

Owls around here are hell on feral cats and kittens, too.