UNIVERSITY PLACE, Washington— An owl caught in a soccer net at University Place was rescued after some boys noticed it and called for help.

On August 12, a group of brothers were playing soccer when they noticed a commotion coming from the goal net. Two of the five boys ran to their parents for help.

“Our family of seven walked over and my husband identified it as a great horned owl,” said wife Jenna Dionn.

Jenna said her boys were happy to help and informed nearby dog ​​owners about the situation and warned them to be careful and not let their dogs get too close.

The family called the local wildlife agency and was told by officials that they would try to send someone to help. They were told that in the meantime, if they felt safe enough to do so, they could try to free the owl.

Andy Dionn covered the owl with a towel to calm it down. Jenna said she held the owl still while her husband worked for about 20 minutes to cut the nylon netting from its talons and legs.

Then Jenna and Andy switched places and she tried to remove the rest of the nylon net.

“Our boys named it Eleanor, the owl in the towel,” Jenna said. “It was actually very cute the way it would turn its head all the way around to follow us as we tried to free it.”