Alvey the 4-H pigeon narrowly wins Sullivan Co. Pigeon vs. Sheriff Challenge
SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Early this week, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department said “our money’s on the po-po” in a race against a pigeon. Unfortunately, they backed the wrong…er…horse.
Alvey the 4-H Pigeon narrowly beat Sheriff Clark Cottom and Chief Deputy Jason Bobbitt in the Pigeon vs. Sheriff Challenge held during the Sullivan County Fair Wednesday.
Sheriff Cottom had the early lead but the tables turned when he got held up by two separate traffic lights on US 41.
At one point during the race, Alvey got disoriented–or maybe he was trying to give Cottom a chance to catch up–and flew toward the Sullivan County Courthouse.
He made a couple laps around the city and bid the courthouse pigeons goodbye before heading straight for his coop, in northeastern Sullivan County.
Judges
on each end of the race confirmed that Alvey arrived just two minutes before
the Sheriff and Chief pulled up.
According to Cottom, Alvey did appear slightly out of breath as police confirmed his identity, by examining his numbered wristband.
Alvey’s owner – Paisley was happy, but humble in her victory, Cottom said.
Paisley was even awarded a free milkshake out of the deal. While enjoying her milkshake, she challenged the Sheriff and Chief for a round two at next years fair.
The Sheriff and Chief have already began strategizing and mapping out a backroad shortcut to Alvey’s house.
