OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA — Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials said troopers shot chickens that got loose after a crash involving a semi-trailer transporting chickens on a westbound Interstate 240 ramp to southbound Interstate 44 Tuesday morning, after authorities said the loose animals became a danger to motorists.

^{Photo credit: KOCO 5}

Authorities said a semi-trailer containing chickens crashed along the westbound I-240 ramp to southbound I-44, briefly shutting down the ramp. Officials said the ramp has since reopened.

A KOCO 5 photojournalist at the scene reported hearing gunshots as troopers worked to contain the chickens. OHP officials later confirmed the action. “We shot the chickens,” Lt. Mark Southall told KOCO 5. “We did all we could to get them under control but they became a danger to motorists. ... We had no other option.”

^{Photo credit: KOCO 5}

OHP officials said about 50 chickens got loose and caused traffic issues for drivers. Authorities said one truck hit a chicken.

The Department of Agriculture was called to the scene, but the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the department told troopers it could not take the chickens.

The circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation.

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