Animal Control Officers work to rescue owl on wire.
Dozens of concerned motorists and pedestrians watched as an owl flew wildly into cars, signs and buildings last week, according to police.
For four days, Animal Control Officers received calls and responded to the Richmond Highway intersection near Sacramento Drive to investigate the reports. Finally, on Friday, Nov. 16 officers were able to rescue the owl at around 11 a.m. Officers worked for over an hour trying to capture the owl after he had perched on a wire about 20 feet high. With assistance from citizens, patrol officers and the fire department, officers threw towels up at him, he landed on a parking lot and they netted him.
Animal Control Officers observed his condition; he was very ill and malnourished. With one eye missing and the other covered in cataracts, he was not able to hunt. The owl was delivered to a raptor rehabilitation center in Falls Church where he is in stable condition.