‘What the cluck?’: Man facing jail sentence over chicken abduction

A man is facing 10 years in jail after an intense abduction - but there’s a strange twist.

A man is facing 10 years in jail after an intense abduction - but there’s a strange twist. Picture: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office

A 50-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged as a “chicken thief.”

The Port Orchard, US man allegedly violated an order of protection by breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and then stealing her chicken, according to authorities in Washington’s Kitsap County.

The call for help came in the early morning of March 29 from a woman who said her former boyfriend invaded her home and snatched her pet chicken, named Polly.

He allegedly screamed, “I’ve got Polly” several times, before running away - chicken in hand.

A man can be seen clutching his ex-girlfriend's abducted chicken 'Polly'. Picture: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office

After a brief, but intense search, authorities found the man hiding in the woods.

Bodycam footage shows the man hiding in bushes as police approached him at gunpoint.

He can be heard yelling, “Don’t hurt my chicken!”, as a deputy quickly reassures him, “I won’t hurt your chicken.”

The man had only been released from custody less than three hours before the incident. Picture: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office

Responding deputies allowed the man to place Polly safely in a patrol vehicle before taking him into custody and charging him with residential burglary and violating an order of protection.

County jail records show that the man had only been released from custody less than three hours before the incident, the sheriffs office said.

According to a local media outlet, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for burglary and a year and $5,000 in fines for violating a court order.

Polly is safely placed into the back of a patrol car as the man is taken into custody. Picture: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office

The female victim confirmed the suspect had just gotten out of jail and allegedly wanted to take her favourite chicken.

Viewers were quick to comment on Polly’s abduction with the clip gathering 119,000 views in 24 hours.

“I’d be absolutely devastated if someone (allegedly) stole my chickens,” said a fellow chicken lover.

Local media has reported that Polly the chicken has been returned to her family safe and sound.

Originally published as ‘What the cluck?’: Man facing jail sentence over chicken abduction