Chicken goes to McDonald’s and won’t leave. Massachusetts cops ask for help catching it

A defiant rooster has taken over the parking lot of a McDonald’s in Hadley, Massachusetts, and exasperated police have resorted to asking the public for help catching the little traffic menace.

The bird has defied multiple pursuits, even when McDonald’s fries were used as bait, the Hadley Police Department said. Hadley is 105 miles west of Boston.

“While we wish this was a joke ... someone lost or abandoned a rooster (so we think it is) and he/she has been residing at the McDonald’s on Route 9,” the police department wrote.

“We have spent a few hours trying to catch him/her. ... If you’d like to give this good ol boy (or gal) a home ... you’re welcome to gather your best group of rooster (chicken) wranglers and have your best shot!”

The chicken is “faster than Wile E. Coyote,” cops warn.

The department says it will send an officer to McDonald’s to stop traffic while brave souls chase the bird around the parking lot.

“Please do not run him/her over,” the department asked.

It’s not clear when the chicken decided he was lovin’ it at McDonald’s, but it hasn’t been all that friendly with the staff.

“The staff did try to coax him with fries, he wasn’t having it,” police wrote. “We think he’s holding out for the return of the McRib.”

Commenters on social media are calling the bird “the Hadley rooster” and are offering chicken-catching tips that include using a fishing net.

Tammy Lyn posted video of the rooster, showing one person trying and failing to chase it around the drive-thru.

“Only in Hadley can you see this at McDonald’s,” Lyn wrote. “I had my 50-pound lab in the car barking and going nuts! It was so darn funny.”

This story was originally published August 4, 2022 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Chicken goes to McDonald’s and won’t leave. Massachusetts cops ask for help catching it."