The incident highlights the challenges of containing exotic livestock in rural Florida, where emus — native to Australia and capable of sprinting at 30 mph — are sometimes kept as privately owned animals.
A St. Johns County sheriff’s deputy captured a runaway emu west of St. Augustine last Friday after the large flightless bird resisted capture with its talons before being cornered, lassoed, and returned home, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
The deputy responded to a rural area following reports of the bird’s escape. When the deputy attempted to secure the emu, the bird kicked several times with its large talons and fled, according to the sheriff’s office. After a short chase, the deputy cornered the animal, fashioned a lasso to restrain it, and handcuffed its legs together to neutralize the talons.
The emu was returned to its owners unharmed. No charges were filed.
Emus are native to Australia and can grow taller than 6 feet (1.9 meters). Their long legs allow them to sprint at up to 30 mph (48 kph).