By Mark Boshnack

Tri-Towns Bureau

A turkey reportedly assaulted by a student Wednesday in Franklin is in guarded condition, a veterinary official said Thursday.

Several witnesses said the bird is the same one photographed by a Daily Star photographer Wednesday after it walked onto a baseball field during a Franklin game. It was beaten, witnesses said, sometime later.

Jennifer McNeilly, who lives on property near the baseball field, said the bird was hers. She said it had been roosting with peacocks she keeps at her home. She said the bird is familiar with two of the players on the baseball team.

"It probably heard the voices and went down to (see) them," she said.

"I didn't realize it was mine until this morning," she said.

Rick Georgeson, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said the incident is under investigation and no information was available. Nobody has been charged, he said.

Emily Leonard, a veterinarian with Ouleout Valley Veterinary Associates in Sidney, said the turkey was brought in early Thursday afternoon. She said it appeared to have neurological damage and will remain under observation in its cage at the veterinary office.

Franklin Superintendent Michael Shea could not be reached Thursday for comment.