Everyone:  Thank God, both of my bunnies are ok.  But, I want to share the horrible experience we had this morning with you in hope that it might help prevent the same thing from happening to anyone else's bunny.

We live in a residential neighborhood and have a sliding glass door that opens up to a small courtyard.  I have a puppy fence that I put up just outside the glass door, connected to each side of the door opening.  I occassionally open the glass door so the bunnies can hop out onto the patio for some fresh air.  The fenced area is half circle-shaped and not very large, they don't stay out very long at the time, and we're always just inside to keep an eye on them.  The thought about predators attacking them has crossed my mind, but I figured it would never happen in such a small covered area, with us right there to keep an eye on them.  BUT, WE WERE WRONG.

After going into the kitchen for literally less than 30 seconds, my husband heard a commotion and came back to see Hudwyn running in through the doorway, with a hawk twice his size attached to him.  The hawk detached, Hudwyn got away inside, and the hawk remained just inside the doorway.  My husband managed to get him out and make sure the two bunnies were ok.  Gwynny was inside during it all, but was very shaken up.  (Thankfully, I was upstairs and missed most of it.)  Hudwyn lost two nails completely, but so far he doesn't seem to be injured otherwise.  (We called the vet and were advised to watch him the rest of the day)  The bleeding stopped, he's now hopping around, eating and resting as normal, and we're SO VERY lucky.

Apparently, our brave little Hudwyn had managed to pull himself, hawk attached into the doorway enough for the hawk to let go.  We feel HORRIBLE, stupid, and have learned our lesson.  Please remember to NEVER, EVER leave your bunny vulnerable for even one second, because tragedy can happen that quickly!!!

thank goodness he's okay!  thanks for the warning.

I am so glad your bun is ok. How frightening. We were thinking about doing the same thing this summer. I will rethink that now. I already bought the pen and pick the spot in the yard. Thank you for sharing your experience. Again I am so glad your bunny is okay.

I'm so glad this wasn't a tragic end that often happens in these cases and I am VERY relieved that your bun is O.K. Rabbits can die from shock too so give him extra love. However, I am a bit shocked and disappointed at your vet for not having you take in your rabbit. If anything to have the claw punctures cleaned out. Skin lesions, puncture wounds etc. can get infected quite easily in rabbits. Also do an all over body check to see if there are any tear marks that need stitches and call that vet back if something looks bad and the fur needs to be shaved off for the wound to heal.  Remember that rabbits are notorious for hiding if they are hurt.

I recommend that you dilute some peroxide, irrigate the puncture marks and daub some A & D oinment or regular Neosporin on them right away. Blow on the fur to expose the skin in patches for an easy and gentle way to check for wounds. Talons can harbor microbes or bacteria that will make an animal sick, even if they get away. Keep a close eye on your guy for behavioral changes (rabies etc.) and I recommend that you keep your babies inside. Since the hawk knows they are there, it may hang around for an extended period of time for a second go at a meal. God bless.

Thanks.  We have cleaned and disinfected the nail wounds and have already checked him for wounds other than his nails...there are no others.  Sadly, I'm usually diappointed with the vets in our town, and doubt they would have done any more for him and we did.  We won't be letting the bunnies out again here at all, and we're watching him constantly to ensure he improves.  If he doesn't, you can be sure we will take him to the vet.  

That's unbelievable!  I had no idea a hawk could do such a thing!  Eeeks!  Thank God you have a happy ending!

How horrible for you, I am so relieved he is ok.

((((((((((((Healing vibes))))))))))))

Thank you very much for posting your experience so we can all learn from it. I'm so happy your babies are okay!  How much did the rabbit weigh that the hawk tried to take off with?  I'm just curious to see how big of a rabbit they will try to steal. Thank you.

For those who still want to take their buns out in nicer weather, I know that some people will clip a bedsheet to the top of an X-pen for protection.  You still shouldn't leave them, but this way you can read your book nearby and have less worry.

I'm so glad your bunny is OK.

We're caring for Hudwyn's two nails and they are healing very well.  He doesn't have a temperature, and he's still got his same wonderful spirit.  He's getting full attention and being spoiled rotten.  He's awesome, and he's the best Christmas blessing we could receive this year. 

(We too think it's odd that there are no claw wounds, and we're not sure how he injured his toenails since it all happened so quickly.  All that matters now is that he's ok, and we're much wiser.)

(DustBunneh'sMama:  Hudwyn is 5 pounds.)

Update:  Hudwyn's wounds are pretty much healed up, and he's running around and goofing off as normal.  What a tough little guy!  I spotted a hawk (the hawk?) this morning sitting high in a nearby tree.  He's waiting for my little bunnies to come out of their "holes" again, which they WILL not be doing!  It's sad, they look out the door now, wishing they could go out.  I plan to one day build them an outside running area with wire or screen above it for complete protection.  But for now, they'll just have to be true HOUSE rabbits.

what a freakin scary story!!!  wow.  i'm so glad it ended as it did and it can serve as a cautionary tale for others instead of... well... you know.   yay for hudwyn feeling better!