Flying frozen chicken "missiles" baffle Australian police
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian police admitted Thursday they were mystified by a spate of apparent attacks on homes using frozen chickens as missiles.
Police in Newcastle, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Sydney, said chicken carcasses had damaged at least three suburban homes in recent weeks.
They said the chickens hit the homes with great force, in some cases punching holes through tile roofs.
"If they hit anyone they could really do some damage," senior constable Tony Tamplin said.
Tamplin said one theory was that birds picked up the chickens at a nearby dump but dropped them mid-flight because they were too heavy.
But he said it was a most likely a prank by practical jokers who fired the frozen chickens from a giant catapult.
The case ruffled feathers of senior politicians in New South Wales state, leaving Premier Bob Carr pondering the mysteries of life.
"One of the things that is interesting about our life here on this planet is that sometimes the unexpected happens and chickens smashing tiles, frozen chicken hurtling through the stratosphere, is one of the mysteries of existence," he told reporters, tongue-in-cheek.
"I can't explain it. I had no role in it."
Opposition leader John Brogden said the flying chickens posed a danger and called for the fowl flinging to stop.
"A chicken travelling at speed could actually do a young child some damage. I mean, they're heavy," he said.
"I think it's a practical joke that's had its time. I think they should leave it alone.