Chicken Catcher Says Job Is Affecting His Health

[matcom]

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KEY WEST - Woe to be a chicken catcher in a city inordinately fond of its wild fowl.

Since landing the job of Key West's official chicken catcher four months ago, Armando Parra Sr., barber by day, chicken wrangler by night, has endured trap sabotage, threats and vandals while trying to stem the city's proliferation of feral roosters and hens.

Dirty words scrawled in scarlet lipstick appeared on his barbershop's walls. Dozens of his traps have been smashed, tripped or opened. His blood pressure rose to medically inadvisable levels, prompting his doctor to prescribe anti-stress medication.

Last Wednesday afternoon, he found a trap, sprung, with a rotisserie chicken inside.

''I didn't realize it was going to be like this,'' said Parra, 64. ``It's starting to affect my health.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8622652.htm?1c&ERIGHTS=-6487719258335080812miami::[e-mail]&KRD_RM=9ppqppstxyyvyupsyxqtpppppp%7CJim%7CY