The turkeys are such an issue in one northeast Minneapolis neighborhood they have prompted a letter to United States Postal Service customers. According to the letter, wild turkeys are aggressively pursuing USPS drivers. The letter advises customers to chase them off and to avoid feeding the animals.
“They’re turkeys, right? So it’s not like bad attacks are happening, but they are a nuisance,” said Joseph Tiemann, vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 9.
Tiemann suggests customers either stop feeding the birds, or feed them away from where letter carriers are delivering mail.
“Usually it’s a dog,” said Tiemann. “Sometimes turkeys, sometimes cats, you know there’s all kinds of hazards out there on the street for us as letter carriers.”
Despite the regular visits from turkeys, the Katzes said they are not giving handouts to their feathered friends.
“I like our mail carrier a lot, so if she’s stressed, I don’t want her to be stressed, but also I don’t know what to do,” said Maggie Katz.
