Turkey Gang Goes After Police Cruiser

BRIDGEWATER, MA — There's a new gang in Bridgewater trying to take on the police, but they're a bit smaller and substantially less human.

Sunday, the Bridgewater Police Department posted a video of four turkeys attacking one of their police cruisers. The video shows the group aggressively attacking the cruiser as it drives away.

"Aggressive turkey's are a problem in town," Bridgewater Police said in the tweet.

State law does not allow officers or the animal control officer to remove them, with the tweet advising people to contact the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The turkey trouble is not exclusive to Bridgewater. The Associated Press reported this week that complaints about turkeys have surged in Greater Boston over the past three years. Boston city officials say they received at least 60 complaints last year, a threefold increase over the year before. Nearby Somerville, Belmont and Brookline have seen similar upticks, combining for a total of 137 turkey gripes since the start of last year.

If you find yourself face to face with these birds, here are some tips from state wildlife officials on dealing with turkeys:

• Don’t feed turkeys—Keep wild things wild! Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause turkeys to act tame and may lead to bold or aggressive behavior, especially in the breeding season.
• Keep bird feeder areas clean—Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals. Clean up spilled seed from other types of feeders daily. Remove feeders in the spring, as there is plenty of natural food available for all birds.
• Don’t let turkeys intimidate you—Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises, swatting with a broom or water sprayed from a hose. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent.
• Cover windows or other reflective objects—If a turkey is pecking at a shiny object such as a vehicle or window, cover or otherwise disguise the object. Harass the bird by chasing it, squirting with a hose or other means of aggression.
• Protect your gardens and crops—You can harass turkeys searching for food in your gardens. Dogs tethered on a run can also be effective in scaring turkeys away from gardens. Netting is another option to employ. In agricultural situations, some scare devices are effective.
• Educate your neighbors—Pass this information along: Your efforts will be futile if neighbors are providing food for turkeys or neglecting to act boldly towards the birds. It requires the efforts of the entire neighborhood to help keep wild turkeys wild.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this article.

Photo by Jenna Fisher, Patch Staff