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Who shot the turkey?

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Man offers reward to find out

By Maureen Robertson

Emergency Animal Rescue volunteers and several upset San Diego Country Estates residents are trying to catch a wild turkey who “runs like a road runner” and has a green arrow through his chest.

09.turkey with arrow.WEB“People need to know that somebody is shooting arrows in a residential area,” said Michelle Ceroli, who lives in the condominium complex on Davis Cup Lane and feeds a group of turkeys who live in the area. “This is a warning that somebody’s out here shooting arrows.”

Jeff Biletnikoff, who lives nearby on Hereford Drive and also feeds the turkeys, reported the incident to the sheriff’s department. He’s offering a reward to learn who shot the arrow, and asks anyone with information to call the sheriff’s Ramona station at 760-789-9157.

Because the turkey’s been injured, “he’s been ostracized (by others in his group),” said Biletnikoff. “The bird is on its own” and thus easier prey for predators.

Ceroli also called the sheriff’s department. Additionally, she’s been talking with Jan Pickton, an Emergency Animal Rescue volunteer who with other rescue volunteers has been trying to capture the bird and get him to a veterinarian. It has not been easy, she admits.

“He runs like the wind and flies 3 feet off the ground,” said Pickton. “We’ve got to get him. He needs to get medical attention.”

She explained that infection will set in because of the arrow in his system.

Four sheriff’s deputies tried to “chase the bird down” to no avail, said Ceroli. “Everyone’s failed to capture the turkey. He’s all by himself. He’s being shunned.”

Despite repeated efforts to catch the bird, Pickton isn’t giving up on her efforts. Another condominium resident will help her pinpoint where the bird is roosting at night, she said.

“We’re a bunch of diehards,” she said of Emergency Animal Rescue volunteers. “We’re going to get it.”

The organization, headquartered in Ramona, operated totally on donations, she said, noting that the volunteers hold fundraisers such as cooking at horse shows in the two equestrian centers in the Estates.

Emergency Animal Rescue can be contacted at 760-594-0751.

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