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Owl Recovering After Hitting Car Window On Halloween In Mid-Michigan

midland owl
(credit: Midland Police Department)

MIDLAND, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - An owl is recovering at a rehabilitation center for raptors after hitting the widow of a vehicle in central Michigan.

The owl suffered a concussion but no fractures in the incident on Halloween in Midland, and officials with the Midland Police Department said there were concerns the nocturnal bird may also have some internal injuries.

The driver of the vehicle contacted police and a veterinarian who offered to help after she hit the owl and saw it injured on the side of the road shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday.

Officers from the Midland Police Department and two citizens placed the injured owl in a box. It was transported Monday to the Wildlife Recovery Association in Shepherd.

"The next 48 hours will be vital," police said, on a post to the department's Facebook page that's collected more than 1,100 likes and has been shared a couple of hundred times.

Wildlife Recovery Association officials believe it could take a few months for the owl to recover. The owl will stay at the outdoor sanctuary until it's ready to be released back into the wild.

Meantime, messages of support for the owl and gratitude to police and the caring driver have been pouring in on social media.

"Thanks MPD for helping our feathered and furry neighbors," posted Linda Rector.

"Prayers for this winged beauty," Bobbie Jarvis wrote.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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