Albemarle deputies brave fighting rooster while trying to deliver summons

By: Daily Progress Staff Reports | Daily Progress
Published: January 31, 2012

A deputy became a victim of “fowl” play while attempting to deliver a summons Monday, according to Albemarle County Sheriff Chip Harding.

The incident occurred when Tom Wood and two fellow deputies surrounded a house on Mountain View Drive to deliver a summons to Sara Bishop Gibson, 34, for failing to appear in court.

Harding said Wood pulled out a can of mace while “keeping a close eye on a dog in the yard that did not appear to appreciate him being there.”

“All of a sudden he heard a sound of wings beating, and a large rooster hit him beak first just below the belt hard enough to double him over,” Harding said.

Wood reflexively sprayed mace at the rooster, but it had no effect on the bird.

“The bird never gave any ground,” Harding said.

Harding said the rooster went back to walking around the yard and eating as Wood’s fellow deputies collapsed into hysterics.

“It turns out that no one was home so the deputies continue their dangerous quest,” Harding said.