A resident horrified over allegedly witnessing a wild chicken "execution'' by Park Rangers has lodged a formal complaint with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

And Parks Officer Craig Burt said he was currently investigating the matter -- which may result in disciplinary action.

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, has written a letter to Mr. Burt and sent a copy to The Royal Gazette complaining about the actions of two Park Rangers.

The woman said she was driving home to St. David's over a week ago when she saw an Ag & Fish van drive off the road into a flock of wild chickens.

She stated that the Park Rangers drove for "at least 100 yards until they were satisfied with their cruel intentions''.

Although she followed the van all the way to Clearwater Beach, the Rangers apparently managed to elude her.

The woman was particularly upset because her children witnessed the "cruel acts'' of "these two beasts''.

Mr. Burt remained tight-lipped over the incident, but he confirmed that he had received a report about the matter and would comment on the Department's position today.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson did not comment directly on the incident, but said the feral animal population had become "a major problem'' in Bermuda because people have such different attitudes toward them.

"Take the feral chicken population, for example,'' said Mr. Hodgson.

"They're a nuisance to farmers, but some people feed them.'' `ALABAMA TOLD TO STOP THE FOOLISHNESS CTS `Alabama' told to stop the foolishness A petty criminal was warned on Friday not to return to Magistrates' Court or face prison during Christmas -- which may be what he wanted from the start.

Magistrate Archibald Warner told Alvin (Alabama) Anderson "you know the deal'' if he were to be before the courts again before the holidays.

Anderson had just pleaded guilty in the 10 a.m. Plea Court session to stealing two Bermuda Sun newspapers from outside Robertson's Drug Store at Custom's Square at 7.20 a.m. on Friday.

"Bama, you want to go west for Christmas?'' Mr. Warner asked the 58-year-old St. George's habitue, hinting at a prison sentence at Westgate Correctional Facility.

"Look. You've been doing this foolishness for a long time,'' Mr. Warner said to Anderson, who has an extensive record dating back to the 1950s.

"Bama's been taking those papers for years!'' he said to no one in particular.

Anderson, however, saw the crime differently, saying: "That Policeman's telling more lies than Jesus! I work there.

"I'm watching those papers. How come the money's not taken? I'll tell you one thing, me taking two papers means less I have to take inside!'' Crown counsel Leighton Rochester -- who dramatically said Anderson had stolen "140 cents'' worth of goods from Robertson's -- added the Old Maid's Lane man had admitted an identical charge in May.

Mr. Rochester told the court a Policeman watched Anderson cut a strap holding the papers, pull two from the bundle, then shove them down his pants.

The officer approached Anderson, and was told: "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have no newspapers!'' But once he was in custody, he admitted stealing them and during a search, Police found a small wooden handled knife which was used in the crime.

Mr. Warner released Anderson on a conditional discharge for six months.