Gutted chicken found hanging from bridge sparks police probe

A chicken has been found gutted and hanging from a bridge after being stolen from a coop in Fife.

Police are investigating the killing after the bird was taken from a community garden in Torryburn, Fife.

The other chickens have been moved outside the village amid fears of another incident.

Shocked residents in the village described it as “chilling” and “traumatic”, after the discovery on March 13.

Kelly Hart, who helps look after the garden and the chickens, said: “I got a phone call at 8am on Saturday morning from a friend of mine to say something bad had happened.

“A chicken had been taken out, it’s been gutted and strung up from the railway bridge.

“I just can’t believe it. Everyone is devastated.

“It’s disgusting that somebody did that and then put it on display. It’s just not right at all.

“We’ve had to move the chickens outwith the village as we’re just worried about someone coming back and doing it again.

“The nursery kids just love the chickens and have been asking where they are.

“We’ve had to say they’ve gone to their holiday home.

“I’m trying not to take it personally and I’m just grateful it wasn’t during the week.

“Can you imagine the kids coming into school and seeing that?”

Inspector Kenny Bow, from Police Scotland, said: “Around 7.50am on Saturday March 13, we received a report of two chickens having been removed from a local community garden near to Torryburn Primary School.

“One of the chickens has since been found dead near a railway bridge between Newmills and Torryburn.

“It is believed this incident occurred overnight and we would welcome contact from any member of the public who saw or heard anything untoward in the area.

“Enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.”