Man arrested after attacking parrot

A Jackson man who carries his pet parrot in his backpack was arrested on Tuesday night after police say he violently shook the bird as its feathers flew, causing enough of a commotion for witnesses to call 911. The attack occurred in the 1000 block of South Main Street in Ann Arbor at about 9:30 p.m.

Police responded to three 911 calls from witnesses, who reported a man was attacking an unknown animal, Ann Arbor police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said. Initial reports came in from the intersection of Pauline Boulevard and South Seventh Street, Bush said. Officers caught up with the man on South Main Street and saw him shaking the parrot as it was "squawking loudly" and its feathers were "flying all over," Bush said.

The bird fought back, biting the man, leaving one of his thumbs "scratched up and bloodied," Bush said. The bird had redness in one of its eyes, bald spots on the back of its head and neck and was limping, Bush said.

The man told police he was "disciplining and training" the bird, Bush said. It was turned over to an animal rescue volunteer, Bush said. The 49-year-old man was taken to Washtenaw County Jail. Charges are pending.