Salem, Oregon and Rachel Maddow Unite Against Local Hat-Stealing Crime Owl

Local papers are calling the bird “Owlcapone.” I’m done here.

In a move inspired by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow’s recent segment on “Oregon wackiness,” Salem has begun posting signs to warn local residents of a hat-pilfering owl known to pester joggers in Bush’s Pasture Park.

Artist’s rendition of Tony Sopranowl.

Yahoo news reports that

One jogger, a surgeon, said the owl hit him twice in Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem, and so hard he thought he was having a stroke or an aneurysm. Another said the bird swiped his longtime running cap and nicked his scalp [typical Pigwidgeon].

Parks and transportation services manager Mark Becktel said the city is erecting twenty signs to make “people aware that there’s an owl there that for whatever reason swoops down and goes after people’s hats.” (But HAS MARK SEEN AVATAR? I NEVER SAW AVATAR.)

Local newspaper the Statesman Journal held a vote to name the notorious B.I.R.D.: ” Owlcapone” received 238 votes. “Rachel Maddowl” came in at 188.

(images via Mark A. Coleman on Flickr and KGW.com)

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