Meet the Virginia sheriff's deputy who has rescued 19 bald eagles
Sergeant Anthony McCall at Stafford County Sheriff's Office has rescued his 19th bald eagle on Wednesday. (Stafford County Sheriff's Office)
STAFFORD, Va. (ABC7) — A Sergeant in Stafford County is back at it again after he rescued his 19th bald eagle on Wednesday.
“When I accepted this job, I never thought I would be going after eagles,” said Sergeant Anthony McCall, a deputy in the Animal Control Division.
Sgt. McCall, who has been with the department for 13 years, is frequently called the eagle whisperer. Though, he admits the nickname isn't his favorite but it's growing on him some.
McCall explained, "Everybody in the office knows when an eagle call comes out, I want to go do it.”
He says he was nervous his first time, but after he successfully rescued one, his confidence grew.
I still get butterflies and I still get excited, it’s an eagle.
McCall believes that the amount of eagles are growing over the years as the calls for rescue increase. “I didn’t know they were that prevalent. We are getting more and more every year.”
One thing that always amazes him is how big they are. “They are big, when you get your hands on them you start to realize why they are the nations bird. They are beautiful and powerful.”
Wednesday, McCall responded to an injured eagle that was observed on the railroad tracks in the Widewater area of Stafford County, Virginia.
After McCall found the eagle, he was able to successfully capture it and bring it to the Stafford County Animal Shelter.
Stafford County Animal Rescue posted on Facebook: "Our eagle whisperer Sergeant McCall does it again!"
Wildlife Center of Virginia is now treating the eagle who has an injured wing.
McCall said, "The people that really should be recognized in this are the rehabbers, wild life centers, and volunteers who put in their hard work to give them long-term care."
