Watch CBS News

Owl Found Under Car Hood During Oil Change

SALEM, N.H. (CBS) - You never know what you'll find during a routine oil change.

Just ask the mechanics at Pep Boys auto repair, who may now have a new mascot: an eastern screech owl they named Shazam.

SALEM-NH-PD-OWL-IN-HOOD-3
An owl was found under a car hood during an oil change in Salem, N.H. (Salem, N.H. Police Department photo)

A mechanic popped the hood of a car during an oil change and found Shazam sitting on the engine.

"Just kind of shocked, just couldn't believe it," said mechanic Anthony Dilendick. "I thought it was fake, but it was real."

As the owl sat staring at Anthony and his colleagues, the manager ran and got the SUV's owner Terry Leppala.

SALEM-NH-PD-OWL-IN-HOOD-1
An owl was found under a car hood during an oil change in Salem, N.H. (Salem, N.H. Police Department photo)

"You know he's saying 'I don't think he's real or not,'" Terry said. "I'm like, it's a joke and I'm thinking somebody put a stuffed thing there and then I saw the eye go. He was like looking not at me the eye went."

Terry and the Pep Boys staff kept their eyes on the owl until Salem PD and animal control arrived.

Police believe Shazam was either seeking warmth or chasing a mouse.

Shazam, with piercing green eyes and red and white feathers, "was very friendly" and easily handled by Animal Control Officer Corie Bliss and Officer Matt MacKenzie.

SALEM-NH-PD-OWL-IN-HOOD-2
An owl was found under a car hood during an oil change in Salem, N.H. (Salem, N.H. Police Department photo)

The owl appeared a bit lethargic, so Bliss and MacKenzie took Shazam to "On The Wing," a wildlife rehabilitation group in Epping, to be evaluated.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.