Bridgeport neighbors are rallying around a turkey they say was wrongfully killed by police.

Neighbors near Burnham and Alsace streets say a contractor started kicking their resident turkey, Gobble, who then became aggressive toward him.

Police say they had multiple complaints about the bird attacking mailmen and even the officer that day on May 26.

They say they contacted the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on how to handle the turkey.

“This turkey was no longer a candidate for re-homing or bringing to a different habitat and, unfortunately, the recommendation of the professionals – and due to the aggressiveness of the turkey – the only option that we had as a Bridgeport Police Department was to euthanize the turkey," said Sgt. Stacey Lyons, of Bridgeport Animal Control. 

Police confirmed they shot the animal, but neighbors say it wasn't dead yet and say the officer then stabbed it until it died. Neighbors say it was traumatic for everyone, and they want the officer to be reprimanded.

"It was handled incorrectly. I think the City of Bridgeport failed us," said one neighbor.

Bridgeport police added that they discourage residents from feeding turkeys, which keeps them coming into neighborhoods and makes it hard for them to relocate.

Neighbors had Gobble cremated and put into a tin.