4 days ago
Hawk that attacked bald men is adopted by a bald man
A Harris Hawk that attacked bald men in a village has been adopted by a bald man.
The bird of prey, nicknamed 'Bomber Harris', attacked over 50 people in Flamstead, Hertfordshire, during a four-week reign of terror in March.
A falconer who helped trap the hawk previously told The Telegraph the bird 'saw bald men' and attacked them because it was 'hormonal'.
But the bird has now been adopted by Wayne Housden, a falconer who has recently had a buzz cut.
The 58-year-old village warden told The Telegraph that Bomber had changed – pointing to the fact he could shave his head without fear of attack.
'If you looked at me now, you'd say, 'he's bald',' Mr Housden said.
'I'm not worried about him. I've shaved my head and, when I shaved it, it was to the bone.
'But I go into his aviary and he doesn't attack me.'
Mr Housden, who lives near Flamstead, described his new friend as 'really tame', adding: 'He wasn't terrible. He was more scared than anything when he was caught.
'I can kiss him on the head. He nibbles around my neck and on my chin... He's so friendly to me. He's obsessed with me.'
For four weeks last year Flamstead ground to a halt.
Postmen stopped delivering mail, fearful scaffolders left work unfinished and villagers would not dare leave their homes without a hat, umbrella or hooded coat to protect themselves.
The siege was finally brought to an end when Steve Harris, 40, threw a cage over the bird after it followed him into his back garden.
The physiotherapist and father-of-two, who had been returning from a run, told The Telegraph that he and his children had not been in their garden for 'weeks and weeks' because of the attacks.
Mr Housden, who also owns another falcon, said that he had decided to adopt the bird after the police contacted him for help.
Bomber is now housed in a new £1,000 aviary which was built by Mr Housden.
The falconer said the idea that the bird might attack someone again was 'always in the back of your head' but added that 'he's got to go loose'.
He said that he has already started taking Bomber on excursions, including a visit to his friend's house.
'He's calmed down', Mr Housden added. 'He needed to calm down.'
Asked whether he thought the bird was misunderstood, he said: 'Yes he was.
'He's going to be going to a scarecrow festival in Flamstead and he will end up meeting everyone that he's hit on the head, so they will all see how he's changed.'
