One of Lincoln County’s most popularresidents was assaulted Saturday afternoon.

    Perhaps best known for his appearance in The DAILY LEADER’s PetIdol contest a few years ago, Chief was attacked by a terrier dogwhile in his pen. The turkey’s owner, Francis Kudra, said the dogattacked in silence Saturday, giving her no warning or notice.

    “I came outside to check on him and I looked down and a littlewhite terrier had killed one of my chickens,” Kudra said. “I thenlooked in my turkey pen and the dog had torn some chunks out ofChief and he was in bad shape.”

    Kudra then rushed the turkey to Dr. Linda Ferris’ animal clinic ofHighway 84 where Chief was treated in emergency surgery.

    Chief is recovering, but is still at the veterinarian’s office.

    Kudra then sought justice for Chief.

    “I called the (Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office) to find the dog andwho it belonged to because I have the right to protect myproperty,” said Kudra. “The sheriff’s deputy went from house tohouse trying to find the owner, but did not find the dog or theowner.”

    Chief is a 5-year-old Royal Palm Turkey Kudra received from hersister in Kentucky who rescued Chief from a bad home.

    Kudra takes in chickens, turkeys and all kids of birds.

    “I try to provide a good home to abused animals,” Kudra said. “I’ma bird person.”

    According to Kudra, people often drop off unwanted pets innortheast Lincoln County around where she lives.

    The cost for Chief’s care is expected to rise, according to Kurda,as the emergency fee was $75 plus daily injections, in addition toroom and board at the veterinarian’s office.

    Kudra said she repaired the pen and made it stronger so nothingelse could get in there again.

    While there is a leash law within Brookhaven, no such law exists inLincoln County, something Kudra thinks could have prevented thetragedy.

    “I wish Lincoln County would establish a leash law. It might haveprevented this,” she said. “Most the time it’s not the dog’s faultit’s the owner’s fault for not keeping the dogs properlyrestrained.”