Who, who’s gonna rescue an owl? A group of citizens, police and wildlife experts that’s who._
Midday Monday, Dave Vallejos, the owner of Dave’s Barber Shop & Shaving Parlor on First Street, noticed an owl walking down the road The owl stopped and laid down near his shop. Vallejos became concerned and began figuring out a way to get the owl some help. He noticed Benicia Police Chief Erik Upson was across the street and flagged him over.
Upson assessed the situation and began cordoning off the area so dogs and other animals would not disturb the bird. He called the Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek, which has a rehabilitation center, to help transport the owl to a site where it could be treated. The center has taken in wild animals from Benicia quite a bit, including back in January where a beaver seen wandering around Joe Henderson Elementary School after a storm was brought in, nursed back to health and returned to a Benicia water shed.
“We have a really great relationship with Lindsay Wildlife Museum,” Upson said. “They come to our assistance quite a bit.”
Upson said he is grateful for all the volunteers in the city who can help the police with animal-related situations.
“They really make our jobs easier, and what are we going to do with an owl?” he said.
The police chief would further elaborate that these volunteers represent a positive force within Benicia.
Elisabeth Nardi, the director of marketing and media relations at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, said the owl was identified to be a barn owl. Doctors at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience are currently treating the animal, but Nardi said the Owl was not doing well at last report.

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