Hunt is on for "horror owl" attacking Purmerend

A falconer is going to be brought in to catch the eagle owl that has been terrorizing Purmerend for the past few weeks. The municipality applied for an exemption from the province of Noord-Holland to make it allowable for the bird to be caught and released elsewhere, RTL Nieuws reported Tuesday. The province gave permission to capture the large eagle owl, dubbed the "horror owl" and "terror owl." However, the exemption states that the animal may not be slain. Purmerend is pleased with the exemption, a city spokesperson stated. The municipality hired a falconer as soon as the exemption came through. The falconer has an aviary where the owl can be temporarily placed.