While I was visiting my mom in the Portland, Oregon area, my husband told me Pierson killed a bunny in our yard. That would have been the 2nd bunny he’s killed (that I am aware of). I’m also pretty sure he’s killed a squirrel when he lived as a stray in Pierson park. And I once watched him amazingly snatch a bird out of midair. Then the same thing again a few months later.
Yesterday was Pierson’s 3rd bunny kill, 6th total kill. I let him outside yesterday evening, and next thing I know is I hear a squealing sound. I look, and Pierson has a full grown bunny in his mouth.
I know it is just his instinct, but it still makes me sad… and grossed out. It also worries me because he has such a high prey drive. I have to really be careful with him around small animals. I can never have a cat. I probably shouldn’t allow him around small dogs. And I can never let him off leash anywhere except in his own fenced yard.
Do you have a dog that’s killed before? How do you handle it?
(Brief update on my mom, her dog Solo, and our move to Iowa: My mom is still doing well. Some symptoms are starting to show up, but nothing drastic. Solo is still in Missouri but the neighbor is still caring for her and will hopefully be able to get her on a plane by next week. We found a great place in Des Moines, but won’t be able to move in until May 10th. My husband is already in Des Moines working his new job while I’m still in Kansas trying to prepare our home for resale.)
Tags: bunny, des moines, iowa, killer, pierson, prey drive
American Dog Blog 
April 17, 2014 at 12:55 pm |
Rumpy was the same in his youth. He has killed cats that were outside, which is weird because he never messed with the inside cats. He, too, has jumped up and caught a bird before. And he once snagged a dead squirrel and wouldn’t let go- of course, I wasn’t going to take it from him.
April 17, 2014 at 1:03 pm |
Oh Rumpy! A cat would be even worse because there’s a chance it was someone’s pet. 😦
April 17, 2014 at 1:06 pm
It was, and Jen was devastated.
April 17, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Oh how very sad. I can’t even imagine what an awful feeling that was for you, Jen. No matter how responsible we are with our pets, sometimes things still happen.
April 17, 2014 at 3:46 pm |
I can’t really advise but a friend saw a behaviour specialist for her squirrel killing dog and he told her that them learning the “leave it” command and coming when called is the only way to cope with those situations. It really does depend on are you able to recall him when he is fixated on something I suppose.
Good luck ^_^
~ Amy
April 17, 2014 at 3:54 pm |
Thanks, Amy. 🙂 Pierson let go of the bunny when I told him, but it was too late.He is good at the “leave it” and his recall. But the problem is he ran out and caught it before I knew what was happening.
April 17, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Ahh, not got any ways around that. Maybe put lots of distracting toys out for him? Hope things work out and you can stop his crime spree!
~ Amy
April 17, 2014 at 4:03 pm
We are moving to a place that doesn’t have a fenced back yard so this will mean a leash and full supervision when outside.
April 17, 2014 at 4:33 pm |
The other day while playing fetch with Stella. I threw the ball….. a bird landed between ball and dog…….. It happened SO fast I couldnt believe that Stella caught the tiny bird. It flew low and she looked like a Cheetah running after a gazelle. Stella is a bull terrier so her body is solid muscle. Ive never seen her move so fast. The little guy didnt make it. As soon as Stella caught it, she dropped it and looked at me like “oh no… what did I do!” Not like she would be in trouble, almost like she felt bad. Then she slowly walked away from it. 😦
April 17, 2014 at 5:20 pm |
Wow, Stella! When something flies right in your path like that, you just can’t help yourself. It’s interesting that you seemed to feel bad. After Pierson killed the bunny, he kept looking at it as though he expected it to get back up and start running so he could chase it again. I don’t think he had any idea of what he did.
April 17, 2014 at 11:21 pm |
Hi – Glad to hear Solo is doing well and that he might be reunited with your folks as soon as next week! Yes, my last dog was a 95 lb German Shepherd, named India. When we lived in the more countrified suburbs, we had woods behind our townhouse and India twice brought back prey. I think it was a possum or something. The second one I buried, out of respect for it, but then the department of health said I shouldn’t have done that and I went back shortly thereafter and it was gone! Must have been playing dead or another animal got it. India’s outlaw ways used to disturb me, too, but it is just that, instinct, and natural for them. I think keeping small animals away from the extremely talented Pierson is probably a good idea. 🙂 Good luck with the rest of your move!
April 18, 2014 at 4:25 am |
Happy Easter to you all, we hope you get’z lot’z of Berd or Thuna wez will see’z youz
Tuezday xxxxoooxxxx
Mollie and Alfie
April 18, 2014 at 1:21 pm |
Mine kill things all the time, mice, pheasants, rabbits. They are hunting dogs so I don’t sweat it too much. Usually it is when they are out hunting. They will leave animals alone in the yard if I tell them to. You have so much on your plate right now, I hope you don’t get too stressed. 🙂 Have a nice weekend.