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CORINNE — A turkey who attacked children and a dog in Corinne was shot by a police officer on Sunday.

According to Chief Deputy Kevin Potter of the Box Elder Sheriff's Office, the department received a call about a turkey that was acting strangely when it showed up in a yard where children played.

"The turkey came over and was pecking and scratching at the kids and at the dog, and attacking them," Potter said. "A deputy went out to check on it and found out the turkey was in the attack posture so he shot it."

Potter said turkeys have sharp claws and beaks, and shooting it was the only solution.

"He didn't want himself getting hurt; he didn't want the kids getting hurt," Potter said of the deputy. "He did what he had to do."

Not a wild bird, the turkey was owned by someone in town, Potter said. The owner took care of the remains.

The turkey came over and was pecking and scratching at the kids and at the dog, and attacking them. A deputy went out to check on it and found out the turkey was in the attack posture so he shot it. –Kevin Potter

"There was a person that lived out here that was having problems with their neighbor's turkey attacking their dog," said Animal Control representive and Mayor's wife, Janis Nimori. "I explained to him that we do not have any city ordinances that cover turkeys. Our ordinances cover dogs and cats."

However, neighbor Shana Zogg said she couldn't believe the turkey would harm anyone.

"It was a really nice turkey," Zogg said. "My kids would play with it. The dogs would go over there, and the cats. Never hurt anybody."

Potter said that because the bird threatened people, the turkey's owner could technically be charged.

"Because the turkey got shot, I don't think they'll add insult to injury by citing him," Potter said.

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