Platte Countians with small pets should be on the lookout after a small dog was apparently picked up by a bald eagle in Platte City last week.
Romeo, a 15-pound Chihuahua mix, was at his home near the Platte River Thursday, Jan. 31 when according to his mom Angela Roberts he was picked up by the bird of prey and dropped in a neighbor’s yard.
When Roberts took him to Maple Hill Animal Hospital in Platte City she was told it appeared to be an eagle attack. Eight-year-old Romeo suffered a broken leg, lacerations and puncture wounds, including one so deep it required installation of drainage tubes.
Over the weekend Romeo developed an infection and had to return to the vet on Monday. The small dog is now on two antibiotics and pain meds.
“He loves everyone and thinks people come to my house just for him,” Roberts said. “He on normal days is a high spirited pup. This is really dragging him down though and I feel so bad for him. Maybe another pet owner would have an idea on what to do to bring his spirits up. He shows no interest in going outside now but then again if something came out of the sky and tried to carry me off I guess I wouldn’t either.”
As Roberts is on a fixed income and used her rent money to pay for Romeo’s initial care, a Go Fund Me page for Romeo’s vet bills has been created at gofundme.com/romeo039s-page. Maple Hill Animal Hospital will also accept donations in Romeo’s name for his future care.
“This is going to be very expensive,” Roberts said. “I am just glad I still have him. I will be eyeballs deep in debt, but I will make sure he is taken care of.”
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, reported pet attacks by bald eagles are fairly rare. Eagles winter in Missouri and typically eat fish and scavenge the kills of other predators.
There are many wild predators that can prey on cats and dogs, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Coyotes, foxes, bobcats and birds of prey including hawks, eagles and owls may all prey on smaller pets if the opportunity arises. Pet owners are urged to monitor pets while they are outside and if a predator is spotted take the pet indoors. Most predators will avoid contact with humans.