Large bird scoops up Chihuahua

By Taylor Kearns - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - It's been quite an adventurous week for one South Carolina Chihuahua. The three pound pup was scooped up by a large bird and survived the frightening flight.

Owner Elizabeth Todd cradles her Chihuahua Poppy like a baby. "Poppy's just my heart," said Elizabeth. "They become part of your family, part of your life."

On Monday, her 9-year-old son Tim says he was there when the family pet was snatched up by a bird.

"It was a terrible yelp," said Tim. "Real loud and we heard wings flapping and we looked back and Poppy was flying right up there."

"It tore my heart out to think something had happened to him," said Elizabeth.

"It kind of looked like he was in both of his talons and the bird was flying up and he was looking down and whining," said Tim.

The family spent hours searching nearby streets and neighborhoods for Poppy, but they couldn't find him.

"It was a very sleepless night because everything that kept going through my mind was my little dog being torn apart and it was hard to imagine that he was going through that," said Elizabeth.

"When I went to sleep, I lost a little hope," said Tim.

After a night of tossing and turning, relief showed up right at the front door as Elizabeth's dad was leaving for work. It was Poppy, running to Elizabeth's arms.

"I just broke down in tears because my little Poppy was back," she said.

Poppy was in one piece, despite being a little dirty and scratched.

"Miracles still happen," said Elizabeth. "Prayers get answered, even for little dogs."

Wildlife experts say some large birds can lift animals twice their own body weight. Pet owners should stay close by their pets when outdoors or use a leash.