Man arrested after picking fight with pet parrot

[September 23, 2010]  ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- A 49-year-old Jackson man has been arrested in Ann Arbor following a fight with the pet parrot carried in his backpack.

Police told Annarbor.com for a story Wednesday that witnesses reported the colorful bird was shaken so violently that its feathers were scattered.

Three 911 calls were made following the Tuesday night incident. Lt. Renee Bush said the parrot was "squawking loudly" when officers arrived.

But the bird was fighting back, leaving one of its owner's thumbs "scratched and bloodied."

The parrot suffered a red eye and bald patches. Bush said it also was limping.

The owner told officers he was disciplining and training the bird. He was being held in the Washtenaw County Jail pending charges.

[Associated Press]

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