A Blair Atholl dog owner has claimed an eagle owl on the loose in the area has been unfairly vilified despite the fact the bird has repeatedly swooped on her and her pets.
Last week, we reported that the bird has been seen flying free in the area for over a month.
Despite initial fears that the owl was targeting her 13-week old bearded collie puppy, Trinny, Julie Eley has since been told by experts that it is “highly unlikely” that the bird was attempting to seize the animal.
She believes the bird is living off game from the nearby countryside, as there have been no reports of domestic animals going missing in the area.
She said: “The bird swoops down low over me and the dogs when we are out walking but she has never done anything untoward.
“I called out people from the Scottish Raptor Centre and they came out and attempted to capture her. Because she is in such an urban area they are assuming she is a tame bird.
“They think the reason she is attracted to me and the dogs is that possibly her handler had a dog. She seems to be very used to them and she seems to like the black and white of my dogs she flies very close to them, within touching distance.
“The experts say she is in perfect condition and, as she’s been here three months, she would have starved by now if she wasn’t feeding herself properly. I’m assuming she is feeding on game birds.”
Julie, who has two other bearded collies, added: “I was afraid at first that she was going to lift my puppy but then I phoned the raptor centre and spoke to them.
“They said it’s highly unlikely if she was going to take the puppy she would have done it by now.
“She’s being vilified. It’s a bit of a shame because it’s like some people have declared open season on her.”