By Rick Portier For WAFB.com

SLAUGHTER, LA (WAFB) – A woman is spending more time looking up to the sky after she had to wrestle her pet dachshund from a bird that tried to carry it off recently.

Living in the country is supposed to be peaceful. There are advantages like open spaces, clean air and maybe even sleeping with the windows open. However, Pat Bringol, a grandmother and avid dog lover, is now questioning just how good life is in the country following her fight to fend off a hawk.

It was a Wednesday afternoon in Slaughter, LA and Bringol had just let little “Hannah Marie” out to play in her backyard like she’s done almost every day for the past two years, but even in rural East Feliciana Parish, her stalker found the 10-pound miniature dachshund.

“He’s been in the trees and around our property,” said Bringol. “And, he’s been around the neighborhood. Our neighbors have seen him. He’s even been on our carport. And, that’s…scary.”

For the past week, Bringol has been keeping an eye out for the hawk, but in an instant it “just swooped down above her” as Hannah was sunning in her favorite spot. The hawk snatched up and tried to carry her off. Pat chased the predator and caught it just before it lifted Hannah into the sky.

“I had to reach on my tippy-toes and grab her hind legs. And, it took everything I had to pull her. I said, ‘You’re not getting my dog!’ I was so mad I was shaking,” she explained.

Bringol was able to wrestle a frightened Hannah free, unscathed. Hannah’s favorite pink jacket wasn’t so lucky. The hawk’s talons ripped three gashes in it. Bristol said she’s just happy Hannah is still around.

Her daughter bought a stuffed puppy to act as a decoy of sorts to use until the hawk finally decides to leave, but now Bringol doesn’t let Hannah out alone. When Hannah goes for her walk, it’s never for long and Bringol always keeps an eye on the sky because you can never be sure who’s watching.