An Aggressive Owl Is Terrorizing A Dutch Town By Attacking And Gouging People

The European eagle owl has attacked up to 20 people over the past few weeks in the town of Purmerend, the Associated Press reported.

Some of its victims have required stitches or hospitalization after being gouged by the angry bird, according to reports.

“It was like having a brick laced with nails thrown at your head,” owl victim Niels Verkooijen told the AP.

People are so afraid of the owl that the city is advising residents to bring an umbrella to protect themselves at night.

The bird is conducting its reign of terror near a home for people with disabilities and is terrifying the residents, spokeswoman Liselotte de Bruijn told AFP.

“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,” she said. “The problem is that you don’t hear the owl before it strikes. Its claws are razor-sharp. We hope the city will soon catch this rogue bird.”

Town officials have applied for a permit to catch the owl, which they must do since it is protected, AP reported.

Officials think the owl may have been once held in captivity, because its lack of fear around humans is not usually associated with the species.