Staten Island Neighborhood Overrun By Turkeys
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some Staten Island's residents are crying fowl as more and more turkeys are taking up residence in their neighborhood.
As CBS 2's John Slattery reported, for the past 15 years, a flock of turkeys has called Staten Island's South Shore home, where they lived on the campus of South Beach Psychiatric Center. But they are now growing in population and spreading out, leaving neighbors frustrated.
Dongan Hills resident Barbara Laing said about 60 turkeys call her maple tree home, and her family keeps busy cleaning up after them.
"They live in this tree," she said. "They sleep in it. And they poop all night."
The birds also fight with each other and make plenty of noise, Laing said.
"This is Laconia Avenue Bed and Breakfast (for turkeys)," she said of the tree.
There are estimated to be about 80 turkeys in Dongan Hills. In August, 25 birds were moved to an upstate sanctuary. They had been slated to be sent to an slaughterhouse, but animal lovers called for a more humane treatment.
Mary Jane Froese, who has documented the the Staten Island turkeys, said she would like to see even more expelled.
"It's not cute no more," she said. "I mean, I don't want to see them harmed. I would like to see them brought to a farm."
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