Police called to chicken crossing the road (yes, that’s right)

A police officer stepped in to help two chickens who were perhaps searching for an answer to the ancient joke: “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

A concerned driver called police, in Arlington, Texas, worried the birds would run into traffic at a busy junction.

Despite a request from the police chief for no “chicken jokes”, it seemed people couldn’t resist when a picture of one of the rescued birds was shared on social media.

But officer Joshua Altimus, who was seen in the picture, took chicken-catching in his stride.

Altimus, who grew up in Louisiana, said while he has not kept chickens himself he is familiar with them. He had not previously encountered them while on duty.

“No prior chicken calls,” he said. “But did rescue a ball python resting on a retaining wall earlier this year.”

There is a happy ending for the two chickens. Thanks to the social media attention, the chickens’ owner contacted Altimus who was able to put them in touch with a neighbour who was looking after the birds.

We’re still none the wiser on the chickens’ intentions. Why did they cross the road?

Altimus explained: “The chickens had already crossed the road when we located them. A motorist passing by spotted them and contacted 911 as they were afraid they may enter the roadway and cause an accident.”