We live in Minnesota by a lake where there are not only hawks but eagles and coyotes. My Miniature Schnauzer had eagles buzz her a few times. We never let her out alone afer that. Now with Belle being 6 pounds she never goes out off leash even then our 85 pound lab goes with. He watches her so closely. It's sad that they can't run free but that's the way nature is. Even if you are out with your babies, be careful, some birds make no sound at all when coming in on prey. We also have to watch for coyotes here. I don't think they would ever challange our lab but you never know. There was an article about a lady walking her baby in the stroller and a man came up to her and asked her if she had seen that animal walking right next to the stroller. She said she sees it often on her walks and it must be a neighbors German Shepherd. The man told her it was not a Shepherd it was a coyote and they have been known to snatch babies out of strollers. The poor mom was terrified, guess even if it had been a Shepherd I would have been scared if ti showed that much interest in my baby
In the last place we lived in in Minn. out in the country I had just let my Schnauzer and Lab out when the phone rang, I made then come back in with me. When I shut the patio door I turned around to find 2 black bears coming toward the house. Oh my God, both of my dogs would have tried to go after them! Then there's me who got a good scolding from DH as instead of staying away from the door, I ran to get the camera and went out to follow them and get pictures
About half way to them I realized that was pretty dumb and ran back in the house.EVERBODY PLEASE WATCH YOUR BABIES... THESE PREATORY BIRDS ARE MOVING CLOSER TO HOUSING AREAS ALL THE TIME.