Merrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860
For Immediate Release
Friday, July 24, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net
Merrimac Family Rescues Injured Hawk
MERRIMAC – Police Chief Eric M. Shears is happy to report that a Merrimac family safely rescued an injured young hawk yesterday, saving its life with the assistance of the town’s Animal Control Officer, Lisa Young.
“This family, along with Animal Control Officer Young, went above and beyond to ensure that the injured hawk made a full recovery and was able to return to the wild,” Chief Shears said. “It’s a true example of how our residents and community officials came together for a worthy cause.”
Resident Ken Buzzell, who lives on Birchmeadow Road with his wife and two sons, was mowing his lawn last night around 6 p.m. when he noticed the hawk submerged in his pool.
While he worked to remove the hawk from the water, Ken’s wife, Kathy Buzzell, called Young for advice on the matter.
Normally, Animal Control does not handle cases involving wildlife, especially with protected species like hawks. Young suggested the Buzzells call a state or federal agency, but because it was after hours, no one was available.
“Although this isn’t normally in our purview, I wanted to assist this family, who was willing to do anything to help the baby bird,” Young said. “The bottom line is we live in a small town and you do what you’re supposed to do. It doesn’t matter what time it is, or what it entails. We pride ourselves on being able to help our residents whenever they ask for it.”
Young arrived to the Buzzells’ home around 8:20 p.m. and noticed that while the hawk was standing, his feathers were soaked and he was shivering. The hawk had developed hypothermia, but had no other external injuries. Young suspects the bird had seen something in the pool, but got too close and ended up wetting its wings to the point where he was unable to fly.
Kathy brought out a dog crate and hairdryer, which Young used to carefully blow dry the bird’s feathers. Once dried off, Kathy covered the bird with blankets inside the crate.
The next day, at around 7 a.m., Kathy opened the door to the crate and the hawk flew off.
“He flew like he’d never skipped a beat,” Young said. “If it weren’t for the immediate action of the Buzzells, the hawk probably would not have made it.”
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