LEXINGTON, Ky., April 1 (UPI) -- Police in Kentucky said a woman who was being strangled with a bra fended off her attacker by striking her in the head with a ceramic chicken.

Patricia Leece, 61, of Lexington, said she opened her door early Monday because she thought the banging and shouting was her granddaughter, but she instead found stranger Ashley Sies, 31.


The homeowner told police Sies pushed her way into the house and wrapped a bra around Leece's neck.

"She choked me down and we fought for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Finally I saw one of my (ceramic) chickens on the floor so I picked it up and started bashing her on the head with it," Leece told WKYT-TV.

Leece said Sies fell unconscious and she called 911.

Police said Sies was apparently on drugs and believed she was being followed when she knocked on Leece's door.

Sies pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge of first degree burglary and was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bond. Leece said she plans to pursue additional charges against the intruder.