In early October, the city of Yellville holds its annual Turkey Trot Festival, during which wild turkeys are hurled from private planes traveling around 70 miles per hour at altitudes of approximately 1,000 feet as part of the “Turkey Drop” tradition.

Disoriented and unable to right themselves, most birds plummet like bricks, fatally crashing onto buildings, cars, and the street.

The Turkey Drop clearly violates Arkansas law (§5-62-103), which states that a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.

We urge the Mayor of Yellville to do everything in his power to end this cruel and illegal tradition.