FAIRHOPE, Ala. — For the third time this year, chickens were dumped by unknown persons in the downtown area, according to Jerry Merchant, city animal control officer.

Wednesday morning, around 8:15 a.m., two chickens were discovered roaming around Fairhope and De La Mare avenues. Merchant said the first incident involved the dumping of seven or eight roosters. The second occurrance, which happened about four months ago, he said, resulted in six or seven chickens being dropped off from Mobile Bay to Johnson Avenue.

“If we catch them, we will prosecute,” Merchant said.

Thus far, it has cost him about 25 manhours not to mention police personnel who aided in the roundups. All the captured poultry have been placed in good homes, he said.

Merchant encouraged anyone who witnesses such activities to try and get a license plate number and call it in to the Fairhope Police Department, 928-2385.