About 4-6 months ago I was outside with the pups, they were leashed and on one side of our property was a hawk eyeballing and on the other side an owl eyeballing my babies. It freaked me out, at that point I was done! They were scouting and hunting MY babies! We too have snakes, coons, salamanders, coyotes, gators etc...Mine have not been outside here at my house unless they are in my arms. Hawks, owls, coyotes etc. are hunters, they seek, watch and devour.
My DH knew in that minute I was done with them playing outside. I don't care what he says or anyone else says, I will NOT watch my babies be taken away or killed by one of these creatures. Thankfully my husband and teenage children KNOW they are MY babies and whatever I say better be treated as the gospel, I do not mince words when it comes to Presley and Holly.
As far as my family, friends, etc. thinking I'm paranoid and overprotective- I don't care. They can think and say what they want, at the end of the day it is MY decision and it is ME that will have to live with the decisions I have made if anything were to happen to them because I didn't heed the warnings and learn from what has happened to others.
There are plenty of stories on here that have happened to others like Yorkiemom1, there is another lady on here that went through heck with wildlife when her Yorkie was attacked by a protected bird and her Yorkie killed it, take time and read about all of it and I think you will find your fears are justified.
Yorkies are not German Shepards (even though in their minds they are
) they are like toddlers but faster. They are extremely curious and look for mischief, not only as puppies but even adults. Be careful, do what YOUR heart and mind says to do and do not care or worry what anyone else says.