Owl, likely hit by vehicle, rescued from Stittsville roadway

EDITOR’S NOTE: Police incorrectly said the owl was a barn owl.

“Talk about the right officer at the right time.”

Early Friday morning, a resident of Stittsville saw what appeared to be an injured owl on the side of the street near Robert Grant Avenue and Fernbank Road. The owl was moving but not able to get itself to safety. They called Ottawa police, and the responding officer just so happened to be taking steps to become an apprentice falconer.

“I find birds of prey fascinating, and I’ve always loved them,” Constable Young said in a police press release.

Young carefully secured the injured owl and transported it to a local bird sanctuary for treatment. Staff there told police they believe the owl was struck by a vehicle, but that it should recover from the injuries.

“With the owl now in caring hands, Constable Young is back on patrol for the rest of his shift — a memorable start to the day and a story with a happy ending,” Ottawa police said.

This is not the first time emergency officials have rescued an owl.

Recently, a woman went to Fire Station 33 on McCarthy Road near the Ottawa airport after she discovered an owl had gotten stuck on the front of her RAM truck.

The whole head of the large owl was stuck in the grille, Nick DeFazio, public information officer with Ottawa fire, told CityNews in an interview. Usually, crews are ready to extricate people from vehicles, but this call required the same level of care.

Gently, an Ottawa fire member removed the bird from the truck.

“The owl was tired but had no visible signs of injury,” DeFazio said. “It was placed gently on the ground and it flew away.”