GRAND HAVEN

Turkeys attack mail carriers

GRAND HAVEN – Mail carriers have long had to worry about rain, snow and biting dogs. Now in Grand Haven, they’re facing a new challenge: attacking turkeys.

In the past month, eight or nine turkeys have been disrupting mail delivery in one part of the Michigan city. The threatening turkeys include three males.

Carrier Jeremy Bogerd has been pecked in the leg. He says the tom turkeys are "super aggresive."

He said the 15- to 18-pound turkeys chase the mail carriers around the neighborhood and gather at the door of the mail truck when it enters the area.

"As soon as they see us, they’re after us," he told the Grand Haven Tribune. "They’re not afraid of humans."

Grand Haven Postmaster Barb Kiehborth said the turkeys have chased four mail carriers.

"I don’t even know what to tell them to do," Kiehborth says.

Bogerd has been on the route for a decade and said he’s watched the group of turkeys grow over the years. He said this is the first time they’ve chased him.

"They’ll chase you as soon as they see the truck," he said. "I would rather get attacked by a dog sometimes than these turkeys."

Mail carriers must carry a chemical repellent spray, but Bogerd said the turkeys’ heads are too small to hit.