Great horned owls rescued after man shoots mother owl

TOLLESON, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Arizona Game and Fish staff rescued a group of baby horned owls after the mother was shot by a homeowner in Tolleson.

The homeowner told officials he shot the bird because he and his family believe owls are evil.

A neighbor called officials to report the shooting and investigators found the injured owl, along with a father of the owls, and four of their young.

Liberty Wildlife took in the injured owl but she had to be euthanized. The father owl could not take care of the young so biologists pulled the owls from the nest and placed them with a foster female great horned owl.

The four owlets will be released back into the wild when they can fly and hunt on their own.

The homeowner who shot the owl was cited, because great horned owls are federally protected animals.