Now It's Owls On The Attack

It seems that Americans, and perhaps humans everywhere, are facing increasing violence from the rest of the animal kingdom. Bears, goats, coyotes, cougars, etc. are stalking and attacking hapless humans relentlessly. The latest occurrence took place near a wide spot in the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Lake Bemidji, where a three year-old tyke was set upon by what DNR folks believe was a barred owl. She escaped with scratches and the owl disappeared as well.
 


A great horned owl. Much scarier than a barred owl. Could easily have been one of these guys.

The most interesting aspect of the story is the DNR action, which had to have been instigated by the parents or even the child itself. "Department of Natural Resources workers investigated the attack but couldn’t locate the bird." What could their purpose have been in finding the owl, if indeed, that's what it was? Were the DNR agents equipped with firearms to deal with an individual bird that could hardly have been identified as the actual transgressor? Would some innocent hooter have been sentenced to death for violating humans norms of behavior? Or would they have simply taken a picture of it and advised folks to look out. It also seems wise to have closed the trail. Birds don't move very well from place to place.