Great Horned Owl Rescued From Mattapoisett Soccer Net

A Massachusetts Environmental Police officer on Thursday released a Great Horned Owl that was found tangled in a residential backyard soccer net in Mattapoisett, the agency said.

The owl was successfully removed from the net by Mattapoisett Animal Control and then transported to Mattapoisett Animal Hospital where the bird was evaluated. Video posted to Facebook by Environmental Police shows the owl taking flight and flying away after it was released.

According to Audubon, the Great Horned Owl is an aggressive hunter that takes prey as varied as rabbits, hawks, snakes, and even skunks. They begin nesting early in the north, "and their deep hoots may be heard rolling across the forest on mid-winter nights."