High school poultry pranksters caught on tape

PHILADELPHIA - Surveillance video shows the four miscreants who let scores of chickens run loose inside a high school over the weekend, police told WCAU-TV.

Police released grainy surveillance video showing four males outside the main office of Northeast High School. But police told WCAU they don't have their names, and no tips are coming in.

"Their faces are all covered. They're wearing gloves. We tried to get fingerprints. None could be found," Officer Bryan Trush told WCAU.

Workers arriving about 5:30 a.m. Monday to open the school found the birds — by the latest count, 85 Rhode Island reds — wandering around the hallways.

The floors were covered with droppings and chicken feed. Classes were canceled for the school's 3,600 students Monday for the cleanup.

"We don't know where the chickens came from or who they belong to," school district spokesman Fernando Gallard said. "I'm pretty sure there is a very upset poultry farmer somewhere who wants them back."

Police so far have not found the buyers or sellers of the birds described as laying hens.

A farmer was called to round up the birds and bring them to Fox Chase Farm, the district's agricultural school, Gallard said.

The culprit will have to pay a hefty fine, said Gallard. "It's not going to be chicken scratch," he said.

The feed the pranksters dumped in the school and what the birds deposited cost the district $5,000 to clean up, WCAU's John Blunt reported.

Many students enjoyed the prank.

"I thought it was hilarious," one student told Blunt.

"That was awesome. I think — whoever did it — that was awesome. Best senior prank ever," another student added.

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