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Lisa Aragon-Moore's 9- to 10-lb. toy poodle has been missing since July 1, along with several cats from her Cove View neighborhood. Neighbors are concerned the pets may have been snatched by owls living in nearby trees. The Friday Flyer reporter Shannon Weatherford says a friend recently told her she had a mature tree cut down in her Cove View yard and discovered 27 cat collars in the tree. Shannon was not sure what the time frame was when the tree was cut down.

Protect pets from predators, urges pet owner

By Sharon Rice
The Friday Flyer Editor

     Cove View Dr. resident Lisa Aragon-Moore recently called The Friday Flyer to report her 9-lb. toy poodle missing. She has considered the possibility it was stolen, but she also realizes it’s possible it was picked up by an owl that lives in nearby eucalyptus trees – especially since she has heard of four cats on her street that have been reported missing in the last two weeks – and her own cat that went missing two months ago. Soon after her cat disappeared, her young son found its collar in a vacant lot.
     Lisa says she recently learned about owls living nearby but had a hard time believing they would pick up a smalldog.
     In February 2007, The Friday Flyer reported a woman seeing an owl pick up a full-size duck in broad daylight and called Mountainview Small Animal Hospital in Lake Elsinore to find out if her one-and-a-half-pound Chihuahua was in danger.
     At that time, wildlife rehabilitator Diana Hoffman confirmed that owls are capable of picking up cats and small dogs weighing as much as 10 lbs. “That’s why we recommend people keep their cats indoors rather than letting them roam around outside,” she said.
     “Barn owls breed year round and the parents must hunt like crazy to feed babies – they also have to feed themselves,” she added. “The upside is that each parent kills 30 mice per night, so they are very effective for vector control. But if you have a small pet, you need to keep it inside and stay with it when it is taking care of business outside.”
     Barn owls are not the only predators in Canyon Lake, Diana pointed out. There are also hawks, eagles, falcons, coyotes, possums, raccoons, bobcats and even a family of foxes that inhabited the area for many years. These animals are all capable of harming family pets, but they are also an important part of the ecology of the area.
     "Since we have discussed this isue with our friends and neighbors, and with Teddy missing and without a lot of responses to our flyer and classified ad, we have concluded our family pets may just be victims of predators in the neighborhood," says Lisa. "We would like to urge all other residents of Canyon Lake to please, please, please keep your small pets indoors, especially at night."
     The Department of Fish and Game adds some other tips regarding wildlife:
     • Never feed wild animals. Predators become more of a problem when feeding has made them “habituated,” or unafraid of man.
     • Police your garbage. Once critters associate your garbage with an easy meal, they’ll be back. Make sure your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids.
     • Bring in the feeding bowls. Wild animals are keen on dog and cat food left outside on a patio or deck. Once they know it’s there, they’ll be regulars.
     Canyon Lakers are also reminded if a coyote or other wildlife is seen to behave aggressively or attack people, contact the California Department of Fish and Game at 909-484-0167 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If an encounter or attack occurs after business hours, call the 24-hour dispatch center at 916-445-0045 and the Department will take appropriate action.

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