**BREAKING: FOWL PLAY AVOIDED AS GIGANTIC OWL RESCUED FROM SOCCER NET IN SUBURBAN TEXAS**
In a daring rescue operation that has left the good people of Plano, Texas, in awe, a team of brave animal control officers managed to free a gargantuan great horned owl from a soccer net in a local park.
The majestic bird, estimated to be a whopping 10 feet tall and sporting a wingspan of at least 20 feet (or roughly the length of a school bus), had apparently been practicing its “dunking” skills when it became entangled in the net.
“It was like something out of a wildlife horror movie,” said eyewitness, Jane Doe. “I was just out for a jog when I saw this…this…THING flailing around in the net. I mean, I’ve seen some big birds in my time, but this one was HUGE. I thought it was a small plane at first!”
The owl, whose name has been dubbed “Ol’ Hootie” by local residents, reportedly put up quite a fight as rescue teams approached. Witnesses claim the bird let out a blood-curdling screech that could be heard for miles, causing nearby dogs to howl in unison and cats to spontaneously combust (okay, maybe not that last one, but it was still pretty loud).
“It was like a scene from ‘The Birds’ out there,” said Plano Animal Control Officer, Bob Smith. “We’ve dealt with some feisty fowl in our time, but this one was something special. We had to sedate it with a tranquilizer gun just to get it to calm down.”
After a tense 20-minute standoff, the rescue team managed to carefully extract Ol’ Hootie from the net and transport it to a nearby wildlife sanctuary for further examination.
“We’re just glad we could save this magnificent creature from certain doom…or at least, certain soccer-related injury,” said Dr. Emily Chen, a local wildlife expert. “We’re going to make sure Ol’ Hootie gets the best owl-sized therapy and is back to its flying self in no time.”
In related news, the Plano Soccer League has announced that all games will now be played with owl-deterrent nets, just in case any other feathered friends decide to get in on the action.
