BOSTON -- A Martha's Vineyard resident was arrested earlier this month after an altercation with police officers who shot and killed a turkey that the man had been taking care of, according to Martha's Vineyard Times.

Chilmark police officers responded to a call from two people on June 15 who said that the bird attacked them as they were making a baby equipment delivery at 27 Old Ridge Hill Road.

The turkey, named Tom, was being cared for by next-door neighbors Jonathan Haar and his wife, Linda. Officials said that Jonathan Haar's protest over the bird's death led to an altercation, and he was arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest, the newspaper reported.

Alissa Keenan, who was making the delivery for Bear Baby Equipment Rentals with Altino DaVila, said when they arrived, they saw the turkey in Haar's yard.

DaVila said that the bird ran up to him and started attacking him when he started to take equipment out of his delivery van. Keenan said that when she tried to help her co-worker, the bird ran after her.

Police said that when they arrived, they saw the baby equipment outside the van and a female turkey on the front lawn. Soon after, a large male turkey appeared and jumped at the officers, and tried to peck them with its beak.

An officer kicked the bird, but it charged at him and he fired two gunshots. The bird was hit and it ran away. The officer chased the bird and fired a few more shots, killing the turkey.

The officer said that he heard Haar and his wife screaming at them through the woods, asking what was going on. When Haar learned that the turkey was dead, police said, he approached the officers, punched one in the mouth and one in the chest.

Haar was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. A hearing was set for June 30.

Haar asked police if he could give the turkey a decent burial, but the police chief said that residents couldn't legally possess a turkey -- dead or alive -- unless it's during the turkey season and a permit is obtained.