Footage from a security camera captured the scary moment that a large bald eagle nearly made off with a small Yorkshire Terrier named Coco after grabbing it from a porch in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
Justin Dudoward posted the video on his Facebook account on June 19 where it amassed nearly 300,000 views.
The 23-second clip stunned viewers, though many were relieved to see that Coco somehow managed to get out of the eagle’s grip and run back into the house.
According to The Spruce Pets, small dogs and puppies, particularly toy or miniature breeds, are among the most at risk of being attacked by a bird of prey.
“Large raptors will routinely attack animals that weigh up to 20 pounds as part of a hunt,” the organization noted. “Many birds of prey will even attack larger animals, including humans if the bird feels its nest or young are threatened.”
To best protect these pets, The Spruce Pets recommended that owners stay outside with their pets and feed them indoors.
“The best thing a pet owner can do to safeguard their companions against bird attacks is to be aware of birds in the area,” the outlet stated. “If raptors are known to nest or roost nearby, avoid walking or exercising pets in that area.”
In Dudoward’s video, Coco is seen on the porch before the eagle suddenly swooped in and grabbed her. Coco’s cries could be heard as the bird flew off camera.
Somehow, the small pup managed to get free from the eagle and she is seen running quickly back into the house.
Dudoward spoke with USA Today’s For the Win and said he did not see Coco get taken by the eagle but only heard her crying. In the video’s comments section, he said she went to the veterinarian and reported that Coco is OK.
Viewers took to the comments section to remark on Coco’s luck.
“Glad your dog is OK,” a Facebook user wrote. “Probably suffered some serious shock over the ordeal. And to catch it on vid. Amazing!”
Commented another, “Holy s**t! That’s intense man glad the eagle let her go! Poor Coco.”
“So freaking scary,” one Facebook user wrote.
This is not the first time a bird of prey was caught trying to snatch something away for food.
A video shared on TikTok showed a bald eagle grabbing a shark that a man was reeling in and claiming it for itself.
Another clip showed a mother saving the family’s pet goose while breastfeeding her infant daughter when an eagle tried to carry it away.
A red-tailed hawk was about to attack a small Chihuahua that quickly ran and hid in some nearby bushes.
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