By Norman Miller/ Metrowest Daily News
Boston Herald
Sunday, December 10, 2006 - Updated: 01:34 PM EST

Call it a case of suburbia red in tooth and claw.

Young Chris Campo had to fight a wild beast for his puppy's life on
Friday when a red-tailed hawk tried to turn the Weston youngster's
Dachshund into dinner.

But a well-placed kick by the courageous Campo to the hawk's head
freed 5-month-old Dimi, who quickly high-tailed it to safety.

"I took the dog out to go to the bathroom and he started to run
around like he was kind of scared," said the 11-year-old Weston
Middle School sixth-grader. "I felt a tug (on the leash) and I look
back and a hawk was on the back of my dog, trying to eat him."

While the dog was yelping, Chris stepped on the bird's wing, reared
back and let loose with a kick at the hawk's head, he said. The
ravenous raptor did not let go at first and so hawk, dog and child
started madly struggling until the dog broke loose.

"I didn't really think - I just turned around and kicked the bird,"
he said. "My dog was being attacked."

Charles Campo said his son was outside their home for about 30
seconds when he heard the boy yell.

"I go outside and there was this enormous red-tailed hawk," said
Charles Campo."It was trying to carry the dog off, and my son
wouldn't let go and he fought off the hawk. My son was literally
fighting a hawk. I was stunned."