Barn owls as pets?!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Some friends of mine have a hand reared barn owl as a pet. It is out in their garden during the day, but tethered. And in a cage in their garage at night. AIBU to think this is cruel? I'm not sure if the tether would be long enough for it to escape any local predators.

I e sent a message to a local barn owl project.

They've said to contact to the RSPCA. So I will see if I can do it anonymously.

That's incredibly cruel.

Owls are not like a budgie, to be fair. One can make a good pet with the right conditions (lots of space, company, vegetables, things to do, attention) and the other is a large bird which needs a huge territory, does not seek human company and has really stinky poos.

People in falconry can keep owls well. That doesn't sound like how this bird is living. Thank you for looking out for this bird.

The RSPCA haven't said much other th in needs an aviary. They have given me their control centre number. So I'll leave it a few days, so they don't automatically think it was me as report.

Hows it going OP? I’ve just read this thread. It makes me sad. We have a few wild barn owls around our house and they’re beautiful. They fly a long way, even when just meandering around looking for food. It must be awful for them sitting in an aviary, let alone tethered. And it’s so un natural for it to be out by day (haven’t your friends done any research??