Halifax runner attacked by owl on trail

An owl attacked a Halifax woman claws-first on Thursday while she was running along a local trail, according to CTV News. Hannah Baillie reported that she spotted the owl earlier in her evening run–even sharing a photo of it–and moments later, felt it pouncing at the back of her head.

At first, the owl hit her lightly; Baillie continued running, but the feathered creature went in for a second, more aggressive attack.

“It felt like someone had really long nails and they were grabbing the back of your head,” the 24-year-old said. “Like they were sort of scraping their nails down your scalp, and then pulling on your ponytail at the same time.” Other people on the Chain of Lakes Trail helped Baillie scare off the owl, and she reports that she sustained no injuries from the attack.

Baillie, an avid runner and a former member of the Halifax’s Mount Saint Vincent University cross-country team, is a recent graduate of Dalhousie’s Master of Public Administration program.

Barred owls are the most commonly encountered owls in Nova Scotia. It is unknown whether in this particular ambush, the bird was being territorial or regarded Baillie’s ponytail as prey. Local wildlife experts say attacks like these are rare, but joggers should take caution at dawn and dusk, when the owls are most active.

This incident is not the first time in recent months that runners have faced unprovoked attacks from animals. In September, a Malaysian woman was surrounded and attacked by a gang of eight hungry otters, leaving her with multiple wounds on her arms, legs and head. More frequently, runners find themselves in scary, life-threatening situations with bears during their runs.

posted Saturday December 14th