Things That Go Bark In The Night

Things that Go Bark in the Night

When Chico, a 4-pound Chihuahua, went out for a walk with his pet dad last Wednesday, he never imagined that his life would be in danger.

On his leash and dressed in his warm winter jacket, Chico happily trotted behind George Kalomiris.

They were heading out for a chilly nighttime walk in Crystal Lake, a Chicago suburb. Suddenly, Chico stopped 5 feet behind Kalomiris and began to whimper.

Kalomiris turned around and tugged on the leash, but Chico would not budge. Then suddenly out of the dark, a great horned owl swooped down and grabbed Chico.

“The owl just appeared right next to him out of the darkness, came out of nowhere,” Kalomiris told the Chicago Sun-Times.

According to Kalomiris, the owl then began to drag Chico in the snow because it could not get a firm grip on him due to the dog’s jacket. Kalomiris screamed and lunged at the bird. When it let go of Chico, he grabbed his dog and ran into the house.

Two years ago, in Spokane, Wash., a 9-pound Mini Pinscher named Mary Lou was also attacked by an owl, sustaining puncture wounds to her shoulder and neck. Her dog mom credited a leash that she was holding with saving Mary Lou’s life as well.

Chico had a few scratches after being dragged across the sidewalk, and suffered a small puncture wound to his side. Although he is completely recovered physically, Chico is now afraid to go out at night, Kalomiris told the Sun-Times.

PHOTO: suntimes.com

Kara Ogushi

Contributing writer Kara Ogushi is a pet mom to two dogs and five rabbits. When she isn’t writing travel tips for pooches, she’s exploring new ways to share and create media.