Deputies Chase Runaway Emu Through California Streets at Night

Sheriff’s deputies chased a runaway emu through the dark streets of Santa Cruz County on Saturday, October 17, trying to keep the big bird out of traffic until its owner arrived.

Footage released by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies following the emu on foot past parked cars and houses, lighting it up with flashlights as it strides along driveways and pokes around a front garden. The clip ends with two deputies smiling beside the bird as its owner comes to take it home.

“Apparently ‘keeping the peace’ sometimes translates to keeping an emu out of traffic long enough for its owner to come get it,” the sheriff’s office said.

It was the second loose emu in the area within days. The office confirmed this was a different bird from one caught by California Highway Patrol officers a few days earlier. “Different bird, same agenda: wreak havoc,” it said.