By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Johnston police and animal control tried once again but failed Tuesday to capture the turkey that has managed to evade all attempts to reign him in.
Police and the animal control officer converged on Atwood Avenue underneath the Route 6 overpass late Tuesday morning, but the turkey, which has avoided capture for several months, gave them the slip.
Mayor Joseph Polisena, who has become the butt of jokes by fellow mayors and others since this bird escaped while two others were rounded up several months ago, took this latest attempt at capture in stride.
“He’s become my ‘frenemy’,” Polisena said. “I don’t want to see him get killed.”
Polisena said he does not want to see the bird harmed or any people harmed while stopping in traffic to try to round him up, ordering police and animal control officers to develop what he calls a “plan B” to ensure the turkey is safely taken into custody.
“He’s become somewhat of an icon, but… I’m very, very concerned that I’m going to get that call that someone was hit, or someone got out of their vehicle, somebody was rear-ended.”
The turkey, initially seen darting in and around traffic near town hall, has migrated south on Atwood Avenue toward a number of fast food restaurants.
“I understand that he gets fed well when he goes by Starbucks. I guess he likes their muffins, and when he goes by the hamburger… fast food facilities, he likes french fries, so they’ve been feeding him a lot, and it’s not good.”
Polisena said he has fielded calls from news outlets as far away as Canada and the United Kingdom.
