Medfield resident, Kenneth Wadness, was hiking in the Noon Hill Reservation with his dog when an owl swooped down, attacking him and barely missing his dog. Shortly after, Wadness found himself with cuts inflicted by the owl's talons on the back of his head. After the attack, the pair rushed to the car, Wadness carrying a stick for protection, according to Boston 25 News.
Though unusual, this type of interaction is not unheard of. Andrew Vitz, an ornithologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, explained to Boston.com that the owl's territorial behavior, exacerbated by the ongoing nesting season, was likely the cause of this aggression.
The incident serves as a concrete reminder to residents like Wadness of the need for caution. As per Vitz's advice, to prevent similar events, small pets should be kept indoors at night. Additionally, according to his comments, the mere presence of a person is generally a sufficient deterrent for wildlife.
