Marblehead Wild Turkey Dies After Being Shot By Arrow

MARBLEHEAD (CBS) – Marblehead police are investigating the death of a wild turkey that was found with an arrow in its wing.

Police said Thursday around 10 a.m. a Water & Sewer Department was making his rounds on Edgemere Road when he found the turkey.

The town's animal control officer was called to the area. The officer and town employee had to cut the bird out of the thick bushes it was trapped in.

Officers loaded the turkey into a car and transported it to Danvers Animal Hospital.

After a short time at the animal hospital, the bird was euthanized as veterinarians said its injuries were severe.

It appears the turkey was trapped in the bushes for several days, police said. The bird's wing was almost completely off the bone as a result of being shot by the arrow.

Marblehead police are currently investigating to see if the person who shot the turkey has a hunting license, and whether it is currently legal to hunt bearded turkeys.

"While some may find wild turkeys in Marblehead a burden, it is still a crime (a felony to be precise) to mistreat or injure the turkeys," police said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Marblehead Animal Control at (781) 631-8664 or the Marblehead Police Department at (781) 631-1212.