A PENSIONER wrestled with a bird of prey as it attacked her pet dog in her home.

Deighton woman Margaret McKever, 74, saved her dog Riso from a terrifying attack by an unidentified hawk.

The 10-minute long incident happened at about 10am last Friday after she let the Chihuahua out into the back garden of her Cherry Nook Road home.

Mrs McKever says the large bird swooped down on the nine-year-old dog and pinned him down on the patio.

After wrenching the large bird off the tiny dog she was then horrified after it pursued her terrified pet through her kitchen and into her front room.

Riso sustained a number of peck injuries to his head and Mrs McKever says she thinks the ruthless bird must belong to someone as it was wearing a collar with a bell on it.

She said: “I saw this thing swoop down on to the patio.

“It dragged him to the steps and it had him pinned down.

“It had a big wing span, maybe three feet.

“I grabbed it by its wings but each time I got it off it got him back

“I got Riso in the house but then it went in after him.

“I was screaming because I was terrified.

“I thought it was going to take him away.

“It pecked him in the head. I’ve never heard a dog squeal so much.