Police officer drives patrol car into ditch after being attacked by owl

The owl remained in the car for 45 minutes after the crash (Covington Police)

A police officer lost control of his patrol car and drove it into a ditch after a surprise attack on Christmas Eve - by an owl.

Lance Benjamin, a Covington police officer, was patrolling the streets of Louisiana with his windows down when he felt something hard hit him on the side of the head.

He then felt some scratching and pecking on the top of his head, and discovered than an owl had flown in through his open window and was attacking him.

“He slapped me a few times with his wings, and just kept on going with his talons,” the officer told WVUE New Orleans.

Due to the distracting company he lost control of his vehicle and drove in into a ditch.

“I finally was able to stop the car, put it in park and get out, and there he was just chilling out in the car… I bet he got a hoot out of that.”

The owl stayed in the car for about 45 minutes before flying out of the passenger side window.

After being checked over by medics, Officer Benjamin was able to return to his shift.

His collagues have bought him a toy owl to ride along with him for future patrols.