PRESS REPORT
April 18th, 2013
On April 15th, 2013, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the residence of Rt. 1 Box 4B, Drexel, Missouri on a report of the residences trash blowing all over the neighborhood.
A Bates County Deputy arrived and noticed a large pile of trash and trash bags in the back yard of the property. The Deputy noticed that it appeared that animals had torn open some of the trash bags and trash was blown everywhere. The Deputy was walking up to the residence owned by Bradley Clevenger. At that time two turkeys began to attack the Deputy. The Deputy attempted to use less the lethal force but was unable to deter the birds. The Deputy attempted to stop the birds for several minutes but was forced to shoot one of the animals before they would quit their attack.
The Deputy then notified his supervisor of the incident. The supervisor made several attempts to contact the owner without success. The supervisor then hung a door hanger asking the owner to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
Previously the Bates County Sheriff’s Office has been dispatched to the same area on a report of these turkeys attacking the neighbors and their children. On that occasion the Complainant stated that the turkeys came onto her property and chased them and attacked her child leaving a large laceration on his face. Complainant stated that her children are afraid to go outside because of the birds.
The Sheriff’s Office has contacted the owner of the turkey about the turkey running loose in other people’s yards and he agreed at that time to control the turkeys.
After an internal investigation by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, it has determined that the Deputy did not violate any department policies and has not violated any state statutes. The Deputy acted as any reasonable person would by taking steps to include less than lethal actions to protect himself.
The Bates County Sheriff’s Office has submitted both reports to the Bates County Prosecutor for possible charges.
