Rocky the turkey’s injured wing amputated

A young male turkey found hanging by his feet from an apartment balcony in north Charlotte last month had his injured wing amputated on Monday, his caretakers said.

The turkey, since named Rocky, was found shackled with metal wire that dug into his legs and caused infection, said Jennifer Gordon, executive director of the nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue based in Indian Trail.

Rocky also had a “horrific” wing injury, she said. Despite the organization’s efforts, the wing wouldn’t heal and had to be amputated for Rocky to survive, Gordon said.

The wing was badly dislocated, as if someone tried to pick him up by the wing and pulled it out of its socket, she said.

Animal cruelty charges were filed against Rocky’s owners, who said they planned to eat him, said Melissa Knicely, spokeswoman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care & Control Division.

The owners surrendered the turkey to officers when police were called to the apartment on Farmhurst Drive by the property manager. Rocky had no food or water when officers found him.

Kim Miller, who supervises the Animal Care and Control kennel, knew how to hold and care for Rocky because she’d attended a recent basic wildlife rehabilitation course hosted by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue and Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina.

Despite all he’s endured, Rocky continues to shine, Gordon said.

“In the few weeks he’s been in our care, he’s really started to show his personality,” she said. “He loves to go out in the yard to look for treats and socialize with the other birds.”

The rescue is asking for the public’s help in paying for Rocky’s surgery. To donate, visit www.cwrescue.org.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Rocky the turkey’s injured wing amputated."