Well-known pet owl escaped through window of Newport home
They've hand reared him since he was five weeks old - now the owners of Casper the barn owl are appealing for people to look out for him after he escaped from his home in Newport.
Owner Maria Mcloone said the owl is devoted to her partner Keith Fowler and they are desperate to get him back.
The owl is well known in pubs around the area and is the mascot of the Griffin Inn in Oswestry.
The 20-month-old owl escaped from the couple's home in Lower Bar through a window that they did not know was open.
Maria, 50, who works as a lab technician in a school and Keith, 50, a tattoo artist, have had the owl since he was young and said he is very used to people.
Maria said: "We're very worried because he was captive bred and has been hand reared by us since he was five weeks old.
"He is obsessed with my partner, he even grooms him.
"We're really worried because barn owl feathers are not waterproof so they can't fly in the rain. We think he is probably holed up somewhere.
"He is bound to start calling for food soon."
Maria has asked people to check their sheds, roofs, barns or any building where Casper may have found a space to roost.
People should listen out for his call, as barn owls make a particular hissing noise in a bid for food.
Maria said: "The chances are he could land on someone's shoulder, because he likes to sit on shoulders, but it would be frightening for the person.
"He is not aggressive, I don't think he has ever bitten anyone. Children can pet him."
Casper is a white and beige barn owl and has red "jessies" – ankle straps – on his legs.
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "Police in Newport have asked residents to keep an eye out for Casper the friendly owl.
"He is a white and beige, is quite shy and won't present a threat to people."
Anyone who spots Casper should call 101.
Maria and Keith are offering a small reward for his safe return.
