Senior Constable Willy Searle and his unusual passenger. Photo / Supplied
Late-night police shifts in Ōpōtiki are never dull, but this one turned into more of a "hoot" than usual.
In between dealing with two drivers who blew alcohol levels of more than 1000mg per litre and dealing with a serious crash, Senior Constables Marty Madsen and Willy Searle's night was
recently interrupted by a feathered friend who needed assistance.
It had been a busy night racing from one job to another when Searle came across the wee morepork in the middle of the road after it had been clipped by a car.
After initially mistaking the native bird for a hedgehog, he rescued the stunned creature.
"I put him in the car and shot back into town as Marty is a bit of a bird whisperer," Searle said.
