Police officer abandons car after being attacked by owl (picture)

An American police officer on an overnight patrol was forced to abandon his vehicle on Christmas Eve after being attacked by an owl.

Officer Lance Benjamin was driving in Louisiana on Christmas Eve when he felt the bird on the side of his face.

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Speaking to television station WVUE, he said: "So I'm thinking 'okay, maybe it was a football or something'. And then I felt some scratching on the back of my head and some pecking."

Officer Benjamin said he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a ditch.

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"I tried to keep control of my car, went into a ditch, avoided some trees. Finally was able to stop the car put it in park get out. And there he was, just chilling out in the car," he told CNN.

Luckily, he was only travelling at 10mph and avoided serious injury.

According to Sky News, the owl eventually flew out of the car after 45 minutes.

Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz said: "Officer Benjamin suffered minor scratches and will probably need a new uniform shirt (and maybe pants).

"After being checked out by medical personnel he returned to work to finish his shift with an amazing story to tell, and proof it happened."