“All of a sudden, my cap was sucked off like a vortex, and it was like a tearing, shearing sensation.”
That’s the description of the harrowing ordeal given by the latest of the angry owl’s victims, hapless jogger #4, Brad Hilliard.
"I spun around because I wanted to know what just hit me on the head — what was coming for me,” Hilliard, 36, told local reporters. “Nothing was there. It was completely gone."
It’s the first time park officials have come up against such a situation, according to Keith Keever, the city’s parks superintendent.
Keever said the local Audubon society has pegged the attacks to one particular barred owl, who may be acting aggressively because it’s nesting season.
— Michigan DNR (@MichiganDNR) January 28, 2015
Earlier suspects had included the endangered northern spotted owl, the most powerful of common owls.
Luckily mating season ends in a couple of weeks, but until then signs warn park residents about possible owl aggression and recommend the use of hard hats for protection.
The four attacks have taken place just over the last few weeks, and no one has been seriously injured.
Two hats, however, are feared lost.
— Brad Hilliard (@SF_BradHilliard) February 2, 2015
— Dave Earley (@earleyedition) February 6, 2015
