State trooper 'killed popular turkey outside courthouse'

A Minnesota state trooper has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly driving over a turkey before wringing its neck.

Mark Lund was responding to a call from a woman who said the bird was stopping her getting into her car.

The incident happened outside the Carver County courthouse in Chaska where the bird had become popular with staff working there.

Lawyer for the county Mike Fahey said the turkey had become a mascot to employees, who often fed it.

Lund allegedly drove over the bird which was pecking the woman's tyres and then broke its neck to put it out of its misery.

Chaska police sergeant Jon Kehrberg said: "We believe the trooper's actions constitute a violation of the (animal cruelty) statute."

The State Patrol sent a letter of apology to Mayor Robert Roepke, and the patrol is conducting an internal investigation, according to reports.