PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Two local officers took custody of a wandering rooster Sunday morning, March 1, after it apparently flew the coop and turned up near a home along busy Kinderkamack Road, police said.
After capturing the bird near a front porch, Sgt. Michael Babcock and Officer Carlos Alicea brought it to police headquarters. Officers later contacted the Bergen County Animal Shelter in Teterboro to pick up the wayward rooster.
In a Facebook post, the department wrote: “LOST CHICKEN!!! Usually our officers eat chicken tenders….. they don’t become chicken tenders. It appears we have a Barred Rock rooster that was located near 27 Kinderkamack Road. Please come take your chicken home. He’s very pretty but his crowing is distracting while typing reports.”
A homeowner reported the rooster wandering on front lawns and even crossing Kinderkamack Road early Sunday, police said.
Replying to one of nearly 200 commenters on the post, the department said “all proper protocols were used even though he attempted to eggscape,” adding that “dEGGscalation techniques were used to convince the suspect into the vehicle where he was subsequently booked into the Bergen County henitentiary.”
Lt. James Babcock said the Barred Rock rooster was “a very good size” and remained at headquarters for about an hour after it was corralled around 8 a.m. Sunday. He said it was the first rooster picked up by local police.
Bergen County Animal Shelter staff retrieved the rooster later that morning, police said.
Shelter staff told Pascack Press that as of late Tuesday, March 3, no one had called to claim the rooster. Staff said the shelter typically holds animals for about a week while attempting to reunite them with owners or find a foster or placement, such as a nearby farm.
The odd encounter provoked nearly 200 offbeat and sometimes punny replies. Kevin Dolinsky remarked, “The PRPD is not flocking around!” Sue Kaufmann asked, “Did he try to cross the road, and if so, did he use a legal crosswalk?”
Neil Nappi posted, “Henny, can you bail me out? I got arroostered.” Lou Srygley wrote, “Arrested for fowl deeds.” And Bob Darcy observed, “That’s clucked up!”
Casey Marie said, “At least he’s not a flight risk.” Carl Schaefer added, “Someone’s dinner is missing.”
Animal shelter staff urged the owner — or anyone interested in adopting — to contact the Bergen County Animal Shelter at (201) 229-4616.