New Jersey: Officers rescue red-tailed hawk trapped in owner's home

NEW JERSEY -- Officers from the Parsippany police and animal control departments flew to the rescue Friday morning to rescue a large red-tailed hawk that crashed through a window and became trapped inside a sun room.

According to a police report, Detective Patrick McCarthy, along with patrol officers Matthew McAuliffe, Joseph Chmura and Carlos Silva, responded to a call from a resident of the Wood Glen section off Parsippany Boulevard who reported a large bird had broken into his home.

Arriving at the residence, they found a red-tailed hawk trapped inside the sun room with its talons latched onto a window screen.

Animal Control Officer Amy Warnock also was called to the scene to assist in rescuing the startled raptor, which she estimated had a wingspan of 18 to 24 inches.

"The hawk actually broke through a window," Warnock said. "He was a little freaked out and exhausted from trying to get out."

McAuliffe distracted the hawk with his police wand from outside the sun room while Warnock went inside and was able to safely capture the hawk.

After making sure the hawk was not injured, it was released.

"He hung out for a few minutes, flew into a tree, then he left," said Warnock, who joined the animal control staff two months ago.

"It was not what they expected when they came into work this morning," said police Capt. John Weiners. "They improvised the best they could and, with the assistance of the animal-control officer, they were able to free the hawk without injury."

(Daily Record - July 22, 2016)