One Clarkston School bus driver could not ignore an animal in need.
After finding an injured owl, Colleen MacLeod sought out co-workers and used everything at her disposal to give the animal a chance. Though the animal was beyond recovery, MacLeod said she could not leave an animal to suffer.
On April 4, while driving her morning route, MacLeod saw what she thought was an owl on the side of Sashabaw road near I-75. MacLeod said she was caught by surprise because she would not expect to see a nocturnal animal around during the day on a busy road.
After transporting her children to school, she headed back the way she came and saw the owl was still there. Having more time, MacLeod took a closer look at the animal.
She discovered the great-horned owl was alive, but severely injured and unable to fly. MacLeod said she has an affinity for birds and would not feel right leaving the owl there. She even named the owl ‘Buster.?
‘He would have gotten mauled or eaten because he couldn’t fly,? MacLeod said.
MacLeod said she tried to approach the owl, but it moved away from her, trying to scurry into the woods. Not wanting to scare the bird away. MacLeod said she returned to the bus garage and recruited additional help.
Transportation Dispatch Anne Curry and Bus Aide/Office Clerk Vicki Wiser joined MacLeod and returned to the scene. Before returning, Curry secured a large blanket and MacLeod emptied a large cardboard box for transportation.
Even though they were trying to help, Buster was not pleased to be near them. Curry said she was nervous approaching the animal, and that Buster was clearly ready to defend himself.
‘The big talon claws were a big concern to me,? Curry said.
MacLeod said the three women surrounded the owl, and when they tried to throw the blanket over him, Buster fell onto his back and fought.
‘He clawed at the blanket,? MacLeod said, adding they were able to lift him up and place him inside the cardboard box.
They transported Buster to Advanced Pet Care on Sashabaw Road, who offered to transport the bird to a specialist in Birmingham.
Sadly, Dr. Jim Mangner, the veterinarian who received Buster, said the owls? injuries were too serious for him to recover, and Buster was put to sleep.
‘If I know in my heart it’s not going to heal, I just don’t want to see him suffer,? Mangner said.
He could only speculate as to the cause of Buster’s injuries – head trauma, severe ocular damage and a broken wing – saying he could have been hit by a car or shot.
Regardless, Mangner said the damage to Buster’s wing would likely cause gangrene, his health would only deteriorate further and he would be in a lot of pain, leaving euthanasia as the only humane option.
Though saddened by the end result, MacLeod said she is not discouraged.
‘I feel really bad about it, but we did the best we could do,? MacLeod said.’If I needed to do it again, I would.?