On October 12 and 13, the city of Yellville is holding its annual Turkey Trot Festival, during which an illegal event known as the "Turkey Drop" historically takes place. This event involves the hurling of wild turkeys—who typically fly only short distances, rarely reaching 100 feet high—from private planes traveling around 70 miles per hour and at altitudes of around 1,000 feet! Disoriented and unable to right themselves, most birds plummet like bricks, fatally crashing onto buildings, cars, and the street. Those with wind under their wings careen at extreme speeds into the landscape. Video footage of the 2010 Turkey Drop can be viewed
here.
This event violates Arkansas anti-cruelty laws which state that "a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment" as well as the Federal Aviation Administration Code which states that "[n]o pilot in command of a civil aircraft may allow any object to be dropped from that aircraft in flight that creates a hazard to persons or property." PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of direct participants, and we need your voice!
Please politely urge officials to do everything in their power to put an end to this cruel event, and then forward this alert widely!
The Honorable Shawn Lane
Mayor of Yellville
clerk@yellville.net
Yellville City Hall
870-449-6581
http://www.yellvilleweb.com/city.htm