AN off-duty police officer rescued an injured tawny owl and ensured its safe release back into the wild.

The wildlife crime officer for Devon & Cornwall Police spotted the owl off the A377 on Tuesday, December 16.

After noticing the owl at the roadside, the officer stopped and carefully transported the injured bird to a nearby veterinary centre.

The owl was checked over and given treatment before being successfully released back into the wild the following day.

Rural Affairs officer, PC Jules Fry, said: ‘The officer’s compassionate actions demonstrate the deeply embedded values our wildlife crime officers share.

‘We would like to thank Jonathan Woods veterinary surgeons for treating the owl and we’re really pleased to confirm that the bird was released into its natural habitat the very next day.

‘We are committed to keeping our communities safe, 24/7 – and that applies to our feathered friends too!’.