A security camera in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, captured a chilling moment when a bald eagle nearly snatched a tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Coco from a porch.
Justin Dudoward shared the 23-second clip on his Facebook page on June 19, garnering nearly 300,000 views. The video, while shocking, left many viewers relieved to see Coco escape the eagle’s grasp and rush back inside the house.
The footage shows the eagle swooping in to grab Coco, who can be heard crying out as the bird tries to fly away. Miraculously, the small dog breaks free and dashes to safety. Dudoward, who didn’t witness the incident live, explained to USA Today’s For the Win that he only heard Coco’s screams. It wasn’t until the following day that he reviewed the camera footage to uncover what had happened.
Although Coco sustained a puncture wound and internal injury to her bowel, she recovered after a few days of veterinary care.
Large raptors, like bald eagles, can target small pets as prey. According to The Spruce Pets, birds of prey often attack animals weighing up to 20 pounds, and some may even confront larger creatures, including humans, if they perceive a threat to their nests.
To protect pets, the outlet recommends staying outdoors with them, avoiding areas where raptors nest, and feeding animals indoors.
Following the incident, Dudoward keeps Coco close and on a leash when outside. Commenters on his Facebook post expressed relief and astonishment at the dramatic escape. One user wrote, “Glad your dog is OK. This must have been terrifying!” Another added, “What a scary and incredible moment to capture on video!”
Coco’s close call serves as a stark reminder of the dangers wildlife can pose to small pets, even in seemingly safe environments.