A 50-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged as a “chicken thief.”
A Port Orchard, Washington man allegedly violated an order of protection by breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and then stealing her chicken, according to authorities in Washington’s Kitsap County.
The call for help came in the early morning of March 29 from a woman who said her former boyfriend invaded her home and snatched her pet chicken, named Polly.
He allegedly screamed, “I’ve got Polly” several times before running away – chicken in hand.
After a brief but intense search, authorities found the man hiding in the woods.
Bodycam footage shows the man hiding in bushes as police approached him at gunpoint.
He can be heard yelling, “Don’t hurt my chicken!” as a deputy quickly reassures him, “I won’t hurt your chicken.”
Responding deputies allowed the man to place Polly safely in a patrol vehicle before taking him into custody and charging him with residential burglary and violating an order of protection.
County jail records show that the man had only been released from custody less than three hours before the incident, the sheriff’s office said.
According to Kitsap Daily News he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $12,747.20 for burglary, and a year and $3186.80 in fines for violating a court order.
The female victim confirmed the suspect had just gotten out of jail and allegedly wanted to take her favorite chicken.
Viewers were quick to comment on Polly’s abduction, with the clip gathering 119,000 views in 24 hours.
“I’d be absolutely devastated if someone (allegedly) stole my chickens,” said a fellow chicken lover.
KOMO News has reported that Polly the chicken has been returned to her family safe and sound.
Read the full article here
