Hi, I have two 4 month old puppies (5lb and 7lb) that I let run in a fenced yard. Last week I noticed (what I believe to be) a hawk circling my yard. I took my dogs in the house but yesterday my neighbor and I seen approx 15 hawks circling our houses at one time. Do I have to worry about these bird snatching my dogs? And is there anything I can do to deter these birds? Such as owl statues or something hanging something flashy such as cds? These birds have a very wide wing span so they are not normal birds and they soar in circles in a slow motion as if looking for prey. Thanks Donna

A large hawk could take a puppy that size. However, given the number of birds, and the way the were flying, what you saw was a group of vultures. They often ride thermals and sometimes congregate in numbers. Vultures are scavengers (i.e. they eat animals that are already dead). So the vultures pose no threat to the puppies.