Rogue owl attacks spark fear
Print Edition
THE northern Dutch town of Purmerend has advised residents to arm themselves with an umbrella when going out at night after a mysterious spate of bloody rogue owl attacks.
Over the last three weeks, the European eagle owl, a protected species, has swooped on dozens of residents of the usually peaceful town, with many victims requiring hospital treatment.
The latest aerial assault on Tuesday evening saw two members of a local athletics club attacked, with one runner requiring stitches for six head wounds caused by the nocturnal bird of prey’s talons.
The club has canceled all training until further notice.
Residents and workers at Prinsenstichting home for the handicapped have been left terrified following at least 15 attacks, said spokeswoman Liselotte de Bruijn.
“During the day there’s no problem, but at night we now only venture outside armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats, anything really, to protect ourselves,” said De Bruijn.
“The problem is that you don’t hear the owl before it strikes. Its claws are razor-sharp,” she said.Purmerend city council said it was trying to find a solution.
“We want to catch the owl as our city’s residents are in danger,” it said on its website, noting the European eagle owl requires special permission to be trapped.
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