Chihuahua saved from owl attack by his winter jacket

Four-pound Chico the Chihuahua is alive today. But his owner believes it is only because he was wearing a little doggie winter jacket.

Owner George Kalomiris zipped Chico into his jacket before taking him out for a nighttime walk in Crystal Lake (IL). As they were walking, Chico stopped about five feet behind Kalomiris and started to whimper. He pulled on the leash, but Chico didn’t want to move.

Some doggie sense must have warned him of danger because suddenly without a sound a great horned owl swooped down and grabbed him.

“The owl just appeared right next to him out of the darkness, came out of nowhere,” Kalomiris said. “It was when he hit the dog that the first noise was made, like a thud, and he dragged him through the snow.”

“But the owl couldn’t get a good grip because of the winter jacket Chico was wearing,” Kalomiris said.

He yelled at the owl which had gotten tangled in the leash and lunged until it let go.

A veterinarian determined that Chico’s head was scratched from being dragged across the sidewalk and he had a small superficial puncture on his side from a talon. Without the jacket the talon could have pierced his heart.

Chico is all right physically, but he has a serious case of PTOD, post traumatic owl disorder. He doesn’t want to go out at night and barks whenever Kalomiris puts his coat on.

(The picture above is not Chico. I just thought it would be fun to tweak PETA with a leather and fur outfit on a Chihuahua.)

Story

Comments

[pam]

I'm telling Sammy about this story. He has started to refuse to hold still to put on his winter sweater. He'd be more amenable, I'm sure, if I could sell it as protection from wildlife.

[cube]

I'm glad Chico survived. Poor pup. At 4 lbs., I could see how terrible PTOD would be for him.

BTW I have a Chihuahua dog nephew whose name is Chico. I will pass this story along to my brother.

[Dog Muscles Supplements]

it is really sad to know that Chico is going through PTOD but i am sure she will recover soon as she is not harmed greatly.
Dog Muscles Supplements

[cube]

Shortly after I read about Chico, I ran into this German Officials Arrest Drunk Owl

[Becky]

Poor Chico. I'm not surprised he has PTOD. That is too funny; tweaking PETA.

[Karen Friesecke]

I just find it funny that an owl mistook a Chihuahua for a rat. Sorry folks, I'm not a Chihuahua lover.

[Tracey]

Such an incredible story ... I wonder if this will see an increase in doggy protective couture? ;)

[Lindsay]

I'm glad the little guy is alright. Yikes! My parents have bald eagles in their yard and I know they would definitely swoop down and pick up my cat if they had the chance.

[Lori @ According to Gus]

I read about this! My brother is always worried an owl will snatch their little 4lb papillon. I guess they were right to be concerned!

[jackie]

saved by a fonzie jacket ..who knew

[Nancy]

Our neighbors' kids across the street had a pet guinea pig, which they had outside on the picnic table in the back yard. Without a sound, ZAPPP!! An owl had swooped down and grabbed it. Unfortunately, he only flew as far as the top of the nearest phone pole, where he proceeded to made dinner out of their pet. The poor kids were understandably somewhat traumatized.

[Col]

Lucky Chico. :-)

[me]

Really? What has PETA done? Sure, they're over-serious with some issues, but they fix things that need to be fixed. As dog people you should agree!

[Jan]

Do you mean besides killing 97% of the pets entrusted to them?

You will find that informed pet owners and serious animal welfare groups have no regard for PETA.