Bodycam footage shows KCSO officers rescue injured owl
By: -----
Knoxville, TN - A juvenile Barred Owl was hit by a car early Friday morning. Members of the Knox County Sheriff's Office worked to get the animal medical treatment. Bodycam footage released by KCSO shows the officers' response to the head-scratching call, including one officer who has a soft spot for the injured bird.
KCSO Deputy Dalton Swanger was injured on duty in June 2025 while filming an episode of "On Patrol: Live". He was hit in the head with either a large rock or brick while responding to reports of gunshots near Stanley Road on June 21, according to KCSO. The person responsible was a suspect in a June episode of "On Patrol: Live."
Following that incident, he had to be placed on a ventilator and experienced complications that meant he had to undergo critical surgery before returning to duty in April.
Swanger was one of the officers who responded to the 911 call for an injured bird in Knoxville around 2 a.m. He can be heard on bodycam footage assessing how badly the bird was hurt.
"The bird looks pretty intact. I don't know how to explain it," Swanger said. "Is there any way we could get a hold of TWRA? It doesn't seem that badly injured; it's just not moving."
Officers are then seen talking to dispatchers about contacting the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Center. After additional KCSO units arrive, Swanger tells them he worries the bird will get hurt worse if they try to move it.
"If we can get somebody who has the right equipment, I'd rather them; if we find out we don't, then we'll do our best."
After several minutes of discussion, officers decide to try to use equipment they have with them to try to pick up the bird.
"I'll use the duffel bag, and I'll drive it to UT Vet. They won't answer, but I'll drive it down there, and if they can look this poor in the eyes and say no, that's on them, not me," Swanger said. "I don't think they're going to be able to turn this poor thing down. It's adorable."
While waiting for backup to arrive with a cardboard box, Swanger tried to get a better look at the bird's injuries.
"Yeah, he's got head trauma," Swanger said. "I relate to you, friend."
The deputy then tried calling what he calls a "bird reservation" to take the bird, with no luck. The University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center was also unable to take the bird, as an appointment was needed. After making multiple calls, deputies considered taking the owl along for patrol until the clinics opened the next morning. Eventually, Swanger was able to contact the Knoxville Pet Emergency Clinic. The clinic agreed to keep the owl until the next morning.
Officers armed with a cardboard box, crime scene tape, and gloves worked together to place a bag over the owl, pick it up, and place it in a ventilated box. They used crime scene tape to secure the top of the container.
"That was much less eventful than I thought. I thought this was about to be a scene out of Super Trooper," Swanger said after the bird was safely in the box.
According to Owl Ridge Raptor Center, it received the injured bird later that morning and is treating it for redness in its eye and head trauma.
ORRC posted a thank-you to KCSO for saving the bird and the Knoxville Pet Emergency Clinic for caring for the animal until the raptor center's staff arrived.
"BIG thanks to Knox County Sheriff’s Office for rescuing this guy off the road at 2 am!! Also a HUGE thank you to the Knoxville Pet Emergency Clinic for taking him in and providing excellent care until we could get there," ORRC said. "Notice the red in his eye (uveitis) from being struck by a car. He’s also been bleeding from his nares (nostrils). He’s been hydrated, fed, and medicated. Fingers crossed for full recovery. We will get him there. It takes a village! Rehab work takes many hands!"