Injured Owl In Fallston Prompts Call For Action

FALLSTON, MD — An injured owl is recovering after getting caught in fishing line in Harford County, authorities reported on Tuesday. Animal control officials found the bird in Fallston with four feet of fishing line wrapped around one of the owl's wings, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

"Please remember to clean up after yourself!" the sheriff's office said in a statement.

A little bit of fishing line can snare birds and other creatures, leading to serious injuries and even death, according to wildlife officials.

After being discovered, the owl in Harford County was taken by animal control personnel to Phoenix Wildlife for rehabilitation.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office is asking those who are fishing in the area to make sure they have all their supplies with them when they leave.

Other owl rescues involving fishing line have been reported in recent months around the East Coast.

An owl died after getting tangled in fishing line in New York this spring, leading some to call for a fishing ban at the park in Brooklyn where the bird perished.

There have also been owl rescues in Rhode Island and Florida after the birds got snared by fishing lines.

"Next time, give a hoot and don't pollute," police reportedly said after a barred owl was rescued from Warwick, Rhode Island, where the bird was found dangling 20 feet from a tree, suspended by wire.

After more than two months of rehabilitation, a barred owl was released back into the wild in April after it was discovered hanging from a wing tangled in fishing line at a park in the Florida panhandle. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges those who are fishing to ensure they have their bait and fishing line when they leave. Those who are fishing should store all of their line until they can dispose of it or recycle it.

Photo of the owl courtesy of the Harford County Sheriff's Office.