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Hunter Blasts Pet Turkey As Owners Watch

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Apr 18, 2006 1:40 pm US/Eastern

Hunter Blasts Pet Turkey As Owners Watch

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) ― Rufus the wild turkey ate well the last six months as a pet and unofficial greeter at a northern Idaho diner.

But someone turned the plump tom into dinner on Saturday's turkey hunting opener.

Cafe owner Paula Heinzerling says her customers looked terrible when they heard the news.

Heinzerling says she didn't worry about Rufus because she didn't think anyone would shoot him so close to houses.

But an unidentified hunter shot Rufus on opening day near the cafe parking lot, tossed the still-flapping turkey into his truck and drove off while stunned diners watched.

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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