7:30pm Monday 15th March 2010
By Hayley Court
A EUROPEAN eagle owl is still missing more than a week after escaping from its owner’s garden in Swindon.
The speckled 3ft tall brown bird went missing from its Lower Stratton home at around 9pm on Sunday, March 7.
There were at least six reported sightings of the bird in the Swindon over the weekend, police say.
But its concerned owner, who does not want to be named, has warned that it may attack animals such as cats and dogs.
Last night a Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “There have been a number of sightings, but as I understand the owl has not been returned to its owner.”
The eagle owl is a large, powerful animal with dark orange eyes, long ear tufts and brown plumage.
It is mainly kept in captivity, but for generations the species has regularly escaped or been released in the UK.
There are only a few established pairs that successfully breed at present, and these are mainly found in northern England.
The public are warned not to approach the owl if they spot it, but to call Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or ring the RSPCA’s North Wiltshire branch on 01793 640136 or 0300 1234 999.
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