They didn't give Peace a chance: Conspiracy theorists aflutter as Turkey pardoned by Obama is 'euthanized' days before Thanksgiving

The closeness of the bird's death to Thanksgiving has prompted some observers to suggest Peace may have ended up on a plate

US President Barack Obama laughs with his daughters Sasha (C) and Malia in the Rose Garden of the White House during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon November 21, 2012 in Washington, DC, with the turkey Cobbler. Obama pardoned turkeys Cobbler and Gob (GETTY IMAGES)

The timing is curious, but not suspicious say those responsible, but the decision taken to put down a 45-pound turkey pardoned by President Obama last Thanksgiving, has already got the conspiracy theorists all aflutter.

The bird, named Peace, had served as an understudy for Liberty, another turkey at the 2011 Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony.

Mr Obama had chosen to pardon both the turkeys to save them from becoming dinner. However on Monday a veterinarian took the decision to put down 'Peace' following a mysterious weekend-long illness.

Both of the birds had been shipped off to the Mount Vernon Estate to live out their days in comfort, but in a cruel twist of fate Peace has now been 'euthanized'.

The closeness of the bird's death to Thanksgiving has prompted some observers to suggest Peace may have ended up on a plate.

Rebbecca Aloisi, vice president for marketing at the Mount Vernon Estate, however, said that turkeys have short lifespans, especially those bred for eating.

She insisted the timing of Peace's death - three days before Thanksgiving – was curious, but not suspicious. She was also unable to shed any light on whether the bird's remains were eaten.

‘I know that it was done in a humane manner but I don't know the mechanics,’ she said.

‘I appreciate where you're going with this, but I assure you that these birds are extremely well cared for.’

The facility, which is well-known for being the historic home of President George Washington - includes a landmark mansion, farm, wharf and the Mount Vernon Inn.

When asked if the inn serves turkey Aloisi replied: "That's a good question. I assume so," she said.

Mount Vernon Estate in fact serves a "Roast Turkey Dinner" for $17.50, according to the web site.

At the Nov. 23, 2011, pardoning, President Obama said Peace was "going to retire to a life of leisure at Mount Vernon - the same place where George Washington spent his golden years."

President John F. Kennedy first observed the pardoning of the thanksgiving turkey in 1963, but the act did not become official until George H.W. Bush in 1989.