'A real hoot': Arizona cops' unique social media post asks people to not get high and 'buy owls'
PAYSON, ARIZONA: Arizona Police recently released one of the strangest and most sarcastic warnings about the dangers of buying animals illegally while high on drugs. The Payson Police Department warned public not to use drugs in a Facebook post on Wednesday, November 9, adding, “The Payson Police Department would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the public not to use methamphetamine or you too may find yourself illegally purchasing a wild owl, for $100 dollars, in the middle of the night, from strangers, at a local gas station.” The warning is extremely odd, yet it's not random. For a man, it literally arrived too late.
Early on Wednesday, November 9, police conducting a traffic stop discovered a juvenile owl sitting next to a driver. According to the police, the driver had done precisely what the commercial in the PSA above warns against doing when with a wild bird.
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The motorist was ultimately arrested on several counts, including aggravated DUI, methamphetamine possession and possession/transport/purchase of wildlife. According to Fox, police said, “The driver was arrested on numerous charges including Aggravated DUI, Possession of Methamphetamine, and the Possession/Transport/Purchase of wildlife. The owl appeared to have minor injuries and was unable to be released. Arizona Game and Fish will be picking up the owl later today."
Many on social media came out and reacted to the hilarious post. One person wrote, “This couldn’t be more well written!! 😂 Glad the owl has been evaluated by Delphia Strickland and is in a place of healing. 💕” “Oh my word!!! This is why we cannot have nice things!!!” Many users also thanked the police department for saving the poor owl. One person wrote, “Way to go Payson PD for saving that poor owl 🦉 now it has a chance to heal and live. Keep up the good work! Also Thank you for getting some Meth off the street 👍❤️💙❤️💙❤️”
“This was an amusing article! Thank you for keeping us safe and entertained! I bet that officer's face was priceless is that... An OWL! 😆 And as someone who buried a loved one traffic stops can be saving lives. Thank you again!!” yet another user remarked.
Meanwhile, the announcement has a lot of significance though it was funny. “The Payson Police Department would like to remind the public that wildlife should remain wild. It is illegal to possess, transport, buy, or sell wildlife unless expressly permitted by Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS 17-309),” police said.