Eagle snatches pup off of a porch

[Firpo]

Poor Pup.
I lived in rural WA State (Burlington) for several years way back and one time I was out front working on my car. 1 year old daughter came toddling out and I happened to notice two Bald Eagles in one of the Poplar Trees surrounding the property. All of a sudden it dawned on me that those eagles have a 6’ wingspan and haul salmon much larger than my little girl straight out of the rivers. Quickly snatched her up and brought her in the house. Can’t imagine the horror in watching a giant raptor fly off with my child.

 

[Aries]

I wish they could dig up my moles and gophers.

I haven't seen any moles or gophers in a while. I suspect the groundhog is a bully.

 

[aarondhgraham]

So just out of curiosity,,,
What if the owner would have been on the porch,,,
And chased the floundering eagle with a bat and killed it rescuing his puppy.

Would he be up for prosecution for killing an eagle?

Many years ago I knew a man in Montana who was prosecuted for a similar thing,,,
An eagle was haunting his yard where he had several small dogs,,,
He waited with a shotgun and when the eagle dove,,,
He killed it.

He would have gotten away with it if he hadn't tried to sell the feathers,,,
His fine was in the several thousands of dollars range,,,
But since no one could prove he shoot the eagle,,,
That fine was only for selling the feathers.

Just curious is all.

Aarond

.

 

[SoonerP226]

As I recall, under Oklahoma law, endangered species protections are waived if you’re shooting to protect people or livestock, but I don’t know about Federal law. I also don’t know if a rat dog qualifies as livestock.

If you do, I do know that “Rule 3S” applies: Shoot, Shovel, Shut Up.

I remember a commentator (maybe Baxter Black) talking about a similar incident years ago, except for it being an owl instead of an eagle. The bird finally let the dog go and it made its way back to the house with talon punctures in its hide, but otherwise none the worse for the wear. He figured that the owl had had enough of the miserable dog and just dropped it to get away from it, and the storyteller sympathized very much with the bird.

 

[cjjtulsa]

Yep. If that was my pup, I'd be waiting for that SOB again.

 

[OHJEEZE]

Yea, I am in total disagreement about any laws protecting a class of predatory animals.

I feel that the rights of the property owner should trump any law protecting the menace animals!

 

[John6185]

Would he be up for prosecution for killing an eagle?

With PETA and anti-animal cruelty groups and the laws making it a felony to harm an animal with prison time waiting, you've opened a Pandora's box for my inquisitive mind.
So, if a guy is trying to kill someone and it is imminent, a CC weapons holder can shoot the guy trying to kill someone. Now, what if someone is preparing to willfully Inflict harm to an animal? What recourse does one have? These days, more emphasis is placed legally on animals vs even small children it seems.
Meanwhile, that pup is going to have PTSD for a long time.

 

[rawhide]

I don't know the answer to the legal question, but I do know where my shovel is, and that some things should never be spoken of.

 

[Foxfire5]

I love dogs I specially love my own. I know it’s against federal law but I’d have my 12 gauge combat ready shotgun on that eagle in a heartbeat. Enough said

Almost lost my Mini Schnauzer six months ago. Let her go out when she was 5 months old and out in the snow. I went out after about 5 minutes and walked by a Bald Eagle and I didn't even see it sitting on the fence. It hadn't turned white yet so wasn't easy to spot under cloudy skies. I ran to the door grabbed a broom headed to the fence to try and scare it away. Never realized how big those suckers were especially the beak and claws. A couple of swings and it flew away. We, wife and I learned a lesson that day and that was keep the puppy company when she was outside. The Eagle hung around for about two weeks flying high and looking around. Every now and then it comes around looking. Even though she is almost a year old we still keep a eye out for her.