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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to wonder if a seagull could really steal a chihuahua????

267 replies

CrocodilesCry · 26/07/2019 15:38

So people are saying on social media that the chihuahua "plucked" from a garden down south wasn't actually taken by a seagull at all.

Searches have been called off. I've read people saying that the dog had actually been sold and this was a worst ever cover story Shock

So what does everyone think really happened? Could a seagull take a 2kg dog?

PS, I did look for other posts about this and couldn't find any. Apols if this is a TAAT or anything's been deleted for any reason.

OP posts:
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8
ChrisPrattsFace · 26/07/2019 16:44

@HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone let me know if you’re in the area... I’ll direct you! (Also only like £7)

On another - back to seagull related note. DH works with birds, and confirmed that he has seen seagulls take adults rabbits alive and kill them and that they absolutely would be able to take a little dog!

Camomila · 26/07/2019 16:47

I'm a bit (irrationally) scared of Eagles.

When I was a little kid I lived in Italy (in the Alps) and would see them all the time. They flew quite low (just above the trees looking for little birds I guess) and I thought one would scoop me up one day. Even as an adult whenever we visited with baby/toddler DS and had picnics in fields I'd keep an extra eye out for eagles Blush

We were stuck in a traffic jam once (maybe on a mountain pass or near the Swiss border...somewhere mountainy anyway) and we watched an eagle circle some little mountain dear/goat thingys for ages. Luckily we started moving again before I saw if the eagle was successful!

ithinkiammelting · 26/07/2019 16:48

There is no such thing as a 'seagull'.

Smile
MitziK · 26/07/2019 16:51

Now we've had the obligatory 'Seagull STOLE My expensive Dog' story, isn't it about time for the annual 'GREAT WHITE SEEN IN BRITISH WATERS?' usually accompanied by a bad photo of a Porbeagle or Basking Shark fin feature?

StrawberryDaiquiriPlease · 26/07/2019 16:52

I saw - rather horrifically - a seagull pecking a baby moorhen and fly off with it... I also saw - again pretty traumatic - a seagull pecking a baby pigeon but that baby pigeon escaped by running away through a small hole into a garage. So, I would imagine it would try to kill one however whether or not the dog would manage to escape would depend on its wits.

FurnitureAndBackgammon · 26/07/2019 16:52

he has seen seagulls take adults rabbits alive and kill them and that they absolutely would be able to take a little dog

But the little dog would be barking it's head off at the seagull swooping into the garden. We are also supposed to believe the husband didn't notice a thing until the seagull was flying off with it in it's mouth? Hmm 🤔

Original poster
CrocodilesCry · 26/07/2019 16:55

The thing is surely a pigeon or baby bird is going to weigh no more than say 100-200g, birds are really light.

Anyway. Apparently the search is off, it didn't happen. The dog got lost or sold, there was no seagull (or gull, as a PP has rightly pointed out) Grin

The seagull didn't eat it.

OP posts:
ChrisPrattsFace · 26/07/2019 16:56

@FurnitureAndBackgammon oh no I don’t believe the story at all, I think it’s fake - but I’m just pointing out that it could happen!
Rabbits put up a hell of a fight when they’re caught, they wouldn’t just lie there! He did tell me he’s never seen one take a dog, just knows it would be possible!

MauisHouseOnMaui · 26/07/2019 16:57

I've seen one kill a pigeon too, swooped down and killed it in the space of seconds then stood there ripping bits off and eating it. I had the DC with me, aged 6, 4, and 2 at that time and they were thrilled to bits, they kept throwing seed to attract more pigeons and 6yo kept pointing out to the gulls which pigeons were particularly fat and juicy looking weirdos

TonTonMacoute · 26/07/2019 16:57

I don't believe it for a minute. I'm afraid I assumed that the boyfriend (apparently the only witness) had maybe stepped on it or even given it a sly kick, and had done it some unintentional damage, and was covering his back.

Herring gulls are huge and strong, and can certainly attack and kill small animals, but if my neighbours chihuahua is anything to go by, they are yappy vicious little fuckers, who would put up much more of a fight than a bunny.

Much easier prey for gulls in Paignton than this dog.

Fernicktylo · 26/07/2019 16:58

The dog could have been asleep when. taken . . ..
I live in a heavily populated urban seagull spot and have seen gulls picking up
a) pigeon -already dead didn't fly with it
b) dead rat, tried to fly with it , didn't get far
c) a nitrous oxide canister, just carried it around for a bit
d) a man's wallet. flew far away with it.

LonelyTiredandLow · 26/07/2019 17:02

There does seem to be a trend for 'posh' small dogs to be reported as stolen when in actuality the owners simply haven't looked after them and they have died as a result. There was a case in the Evening Standard last year with a French Bulldog IIRC.

Hairyheadphones · 26/07/2019 17:10

A school mum posted on fb to say that her dog had to be put down due to a massive tumour in its stomach, there were quite a few comments of ‘he looked fine yesterday’. Her previous dog had been hit and killed by a car which she posted about on fb. A quick look on the fb pet selling pages showed that she had actually sold both dogs but made up bullshits stories to gain sympathy instead of showing she was an irresponsible owner who got bored once they were out of the cute puppy stage.

ChihuahuaMummy1 · 26/07/2019 17:12

Haven't rtft but its rumoured to be a hoax.I have a Chihuahua (as per username) so I've been interested in the story,the last I heard the man had sold the dog behind his gf back and came up with an elaborate story.

SkydivingKittyCat · 26/07/2019 17:14

@SerendipityJane I think you just need to stop talking now 😂

AIBU to wonder if a seagull could really steal a chihuahua????
HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 26/07/2019 17:16

the last I heard the man had sold the dog behind his gf back

That certainly sounds more plausible than the seagull rubbish. Isn't it often the case the simplest explanation is often the most accurate.

SerendipityJane · 26/07/2019 17:17

@SerendipityJane I think you just need to stop talking now

Look, I've cancelled the fucking cheque, OK ?

Grin
SkydivingKittyCat · 26/07/2019 17:19

Look, I've cancelled the fucking cheque, OK ?

Maybe you ought to log it with 101 just in case you wish to make a claim against Stephen Fry at a later date for hurt feelings

Crinkle77 · 26/07/2019 17:19

It might not be able to lift it but could kill it and drag it. I saw a seagull dragging the carcass of what I think was a pigeon along the ground and then pull its innards out. Apparently seagulls don't have claws so can't pick things up and fly off with them.

Honeyroar · 26/07/2019 17:20

I once watched a seagull kill and fly off with a pigeon, so I guess it's possible!

Honeyroar · 26/07/2019 17:33

Ps, At the time I was with two pilots who were muttering about how it would never take off with that weight. They had to change their tune. Bit worrying really, as they had to check our fuel for a jumbo the following day. Anyway we made it home!

ineedaknittedhat · 26/07/2019 17:38

This always amuses me.

Jaxhog · 26/07/2019 17:41

I think its an urban (or seaside) myth. If only because of the lack of claws. But a red kite...?

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 26/07/2019 17:43

It's feasible. But it would have to be a greater black-backed gull, which are huge birds and quite aggressive predators. They're frequently known to take rabbits. And some of the smaller chihuahuas are not really much bigger than a large rabbit.

PancakeAndKeith · 26/07/2019 17:45

There is no such thing as a 'seagull'.

You’re thinking of panthers. There is no such thing as a panther.