‘We Shot The Chickens’: Troopers Shoot Chickens On Highway
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Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers killed dozens of chickens Tuesday morning after a semi-truck carrying poultry overturned on a busy Interstate 240 ramp in Oklahoma City, authorities said.
According to OHP officials, the truck crashed on the westbound I-240 ramp to southbound Interstate 44, spilling cages and releasing chickens onto the roadway and shoulder. The incident forced a temporary closure of the ramp while troopers and emergency crews worked to clear debris and address the loose animals.
Lt. Mark Southall told KOCO 5 that troopers initially attempted to contain the chickens but were unable to safely control them. As traffic backed up, the birds became a hazard to drivers. “We did all we could to get them under control,” Southall said. “They became a danger to motorists. We had no other option.”
Authorities estimate about 50 chickens escaped following the crash, causing drivers to slow or swerve to avoid them. OHP said at least one vehicle struck a chicken before troopers took action to eliminate the safety risk.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture was contacted but informed troopers it could not take custody of the loose chickens. Officials have not said how many chickens, if any, survived the incident.
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