MISSING OWL RESCUED FROM TV AERIAL AFTER GETTING STUCK
Street closed off for hour-long operation
AN owl missing for three days has been reunited with his owner – after being rescued from a TV aerial in Bentilee.
The owl had become tangled by the straps on his legs to the television aerial on a house on Beverley Drive.
RSPCA inspector Natalie Perehovsky was called to the property on Wednesday after a resident spotted the bird on the roof of the house.
The owl’s owner has since been traced and confirmed that the bird is his and that it had been missing from his nearby house for three days.
Natalie said: “When I arrived at the property it was immediately clear that I would require the assistance of our colleagues at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as the owl was far too high for me to be able to reach on my own, without their specialist equipment.
“Along with two officers from crews at Hanley and Longton, I went up on the aerial ladder platform and we were able to cut this poor owl free from the aerial before I confined him in a box so he could be checked over.
“Thankfully an examination at a nearby veterinary practice found that both his legs seemed fine and there were no breaks. He was just a little bit sore and weak from his unpleasant ordeal and his worried owner was very relieved to be reunited with him.
“As ever, we are extremely grateful to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service for their care and compassion when we need to call on them for assistance with more unusual incidents like this, and I’m really pleased this beautiful bird appears to have suffered no lasting injuries as a result of his escapade. It’s all a great reminder of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.”
Crew manager Darren Jackson, who attended the hour-long rescue during which the street was closed, said: “Firefighters worked as quickly as possible to free the owl and bring it to safety.
“Hopefully the animal can make full use of its 360-degree vision and avoid another visit from the fire service once it has recovered.”