A Rooster Who Once Crossed the Road and Gained Immortality (6 Photos)

These birds have one specific feature: having reached the middle of the road, the chickens can suddenly take off and rush back. And often the birds, not shining with intelligence, die under the wheels of cars.





But in the case of the rooster Roscoe, everything was different. Time after time.



For 10 years, Roscoe the Rooster roamed the streets of Takoma Park, Maryland, crossing the road whenever and wherever he pleased. Drivers stopped for Roscoe, residents gave the free-spirited bird food and shelter, and eventually police and local animal control gave up trying to catch him.





Roscoe showed up in Takoma Park in 1989, though no one seems to know where he came from. Roscoe was often seen walking the sidewalks, lounging in front of people's yards, or occasionally cleverly (and purposefully, according to locals) holding up traffic. While some locals were annoyed by his scurrying around and antics, most were genuinely happy to see him.



Sculpture by Normon Green

Unfortunately, in 1999, the fearless Roscoe was the victim of a hit-and-run. Local residents banded together to commission a statue in his memory, and in 2000, a life-size statue by Normon Green was installed in the pedestrian mall on Laurel Avenue.



To this day, locals "dress up" the statue in holiday and other costumes. Roscoe proved to be an active member of the community, even posthumously appearing on local advertisements and posters. There is even a pizzeria named after the famous rooster! Now Roscoe can be found forever crossing the road in Takoma Park.