Pigeon fight

SYDNEY - Four people ended up in the hospital and another four were injured after feathers flew in a dispute over a racing pigeon Wednesday, Australian police said.

Police were called after a fight broke out between two families of pigeon fanciers in a suburb of the southern city of Melbourne over ownership of the prized bird. Four people were taken to hospital after suffering cuts to their heads and hands in the avian affray. Another four people received minor injuries that were treated at the scene.

Victoria state police said they were questioning nine people.

A spokeswoman said the pigeon punch-up was one of the most unusual incidents that officers had been called to resolve.

"It's a dispute over property but it just so happens that the property this time is a pigeon," the police spokeswoman said.

The Herald Sun newspaper reported that the bird at the center of the dispute flew away during the fight.