Alexandria Animal Control Report: Wild Turkey Spotted Loose in Old Town

Animal Control officers in Alexandria deal with a variety of calls every week. Here's a glance at some recent incidents in the city courtesy of Patrick Egan of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Turkey runs wild — Contrary to popular belief, wild turkeys do appear in Alexandria—and not just on the shelves of King Street bars.

On June 14, the Alexandria Animal Control office was beset with calls of at least one and possibly multiple wild turkeys in the Old Town area. Sightings were reported in the 500 block of Queen Street, 200 block of N. Pitt Street and the 400 block of N. Union Street.

In all cases, the turkey was reported acting like, well, a turkey. It did not appear to be ill, in distress or in the way of harm.

In each case, the callers were advised that, although rare, wild turkeys are known to make their way through Alexandria.

As with all native animals, Alexandria Animal Control will not capture or relocate healthy specimens that are not posing immediate threats of harm or in immediate danger.

The turkey—which apparently struck fear in some callers—was allowed to continue about its business. No subsequent sightings have been reported.

The turkey’s opinions about waterfront redevelopment and set-aside funding remain unknown.  

Reunited — A good Samaritan located a missing Alexandria dog that was believed to have been stolen, helping reunite the pooch with its owner.

On June 15, an Alexandria Animal Control officer was called to assist a police officer who was responding to a report of an unrestrained dog that had been stolen from the unit block of N. Gordon Street. A witness corroborated the report, having heard a dog stop barking after a car drove by.

The Animal Control officer assisted the police by estimating the dog’s value for a larceny investigation and filed a lost report on the dog for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. The officer advised the dog’s owner on other steps to take to assist in locating the missing dog.

Later the same evening, a good Samaritan located the missing dog on Tulsa Place, just up the street from where the canine was last seen.  

The citizen brought the dog to the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter as a stray. Once it was determined that this was the same dog that was reported stolen, the citizen spoke with both the Alexandria police and Animal Control.

No charges were filed and the dog was reunited with its owner.

For more information about Alexandria Animal Control, visit the AWLA website.