Marion County Courthouse employees were in a state of confusion Thursday morning after they were informed of a “dangerous” rooster on the loose on the courthouse lawn.

Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt was called to the scene after it was discovered the rooster was armed with close to three-inch spurs. Sheriff Sandholdt tells KNIA/KRLS News, “with the cooperation from the Joint Rooster Catching Task Force, made up of members of the Marion County Public Health Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Courthouse employees, as well as civilian volunteers, notably Ben Larman from Larman Gifts, who loaned a dip net used in the capture.”

Sandholdt adds, “We were able to corral the athletic and defiant suspect and take another bad egg off the streets.”

The rooster was not injured during the pursuit and capture, and is now detained at the Marion County Public Health Department. KNIA/KRLS News was able to obtain an exclusive interview with the suspect but the rooster declined to comment. The rooster has since been released and is resting comfortably at his new home out of town. Knoxville residents are reminded, roosters are prohibited within city limits.