Parrot lost foot in unusual R.I. theft

WARWICK, R.I., May 17 (UPI) -- A baby parrot lost one of its feet this week in Warwick, R.I., when a woman allegedly cut it off to steal the bird from an area pet store.

The Providence (R.I.) Journal said Thursday that local police charged Pamela Worden after allegedly finding the bleeding one-legged parrot in the 56-year-old woman's apartment.

Sgt. Robert C. Rocco said the gruesome discovery was shocking given Worden's calming demeanor.

"She had (apparently) cut off the parrot's leg to get the i.d. bracelet off of it," Rocco said of Worden. "It was like a horror movie. She seemed like such an unassuming woman.

"I've been doing this for 24 years, and this was probably the most bizarre thing I've ever run into."

The unusual case led to charges of cruelty to animals and possession of stolen goods being made against Worden, the Journal said.