A brazen wild turkey briefly turned into Cookeville’s most unlikely traffic hazard on Friday, chasing a police patrol vehicle down 10th Street after officers responded to a flurry of calls about the bird. Neighbors told police the turkey had been pecking at and attacking cars and described it as unusually bold. Officers said there were no injuries and that no charges would be filed.
Police: Seven 911 Calls And A Calm Ending
According to the Cookeville Police Department, dispatchers took seven 911 calls about the rogue turkey before officers finally caught up with it. They later spotted the bird trailing a patrol vehicle on 10th Street, apparently undeterred by the flashing lights.
Police said the turkey’s aggression faded once the patrol car’s engine started and officers stepped out. The department reported that no one was hurt and reiterated that no charges would be filed in connection with the feathery standoff.
What Wildlife Officials Say
As noted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, wild turkeys sometimes lose their natural fear of people and can turn bold or even aggressive when they become habituated to humans. TWRA urges residents not to feed turkeys and recommends hazing tactics to move them along, such as making loud noises, waving arms, spraying a water hose, or using a leashed dog.
The agency also warns that turkeys that repeatedly threaten people or pets and do not respond to hazing may ultimately have to be destroyed as a last resort.
Not An Isolated Problem
Similar incidents have been cropping up across the country. As reported by SFGATE and local broadcasters in Wisconsin, bold wild turkeys have chased mail carriers, blocked roads, and pecked at vehicles, echoing TWRA’s warnings about the consequences of letting wildlife get too comfortable around people.
How To Respond If You See A Bold Turkey
TWRA recommends hazing a bold turkey from a safe distance by making loud noises, waving your arms, spraying it with a hose, or allowing a large dog to bark while restrained. Officials say you should not approach, corner, or attempt to pick up the bird.
If a turkey is on or near a roadway, the agency advises staying in your vehicle and driving away slowly when it is safe to do so. If hazing does not work and the bird keeps posing a threat, TWRA says residents should contact wildlife authorities for guidance.
Cookeville police ask residents who encounter persistent aggressive wildlife to call the department’s non-emergency line. Contact information is available on the Cookeville Police Department website. For immediate threats to public safety, call 911.
