It’s not uncommon for police officers to locate lost dogs and cats on occasion. However, it’s not ever day officers find a wayward emu.
Newtown Township Police encountered the runaway emu last Thursday night during the July 4th celebrations.
The large bird, which is native to Australia, was found wandering near Stoopville Road and Rosefield Drive, police said.
According to police, officers were able to photograph the emu before it dashed into the nearby woods and eluded capture.
The bird has since been safely returned to its home at Earth’s Best Organics, a farm located on Eagle Road in Upper Makefield Township, where it is raised primarily for its eggs, according to CBS Philly.
Rosie Alfaro, co-owner of Earth’s Best Organics, spoke to CBS Philly about the incident and attributed the emu’s escape to the loud fireworks that frightened the bird.
“She [the emu] was all the way in the back in her enclosure,” Alfaro told the TV station. “She busted through the fence. She got so spooked out from the fireworks. We had very, very loud explosion feeling-like fireworks, so I’m thinking that’s what caused the behavior.”
Emus, which are flightless, can stand over 5 feet tall, weigh between 70 and 132 pounds, and run at speeds of up to 30 mph.
Emus are legal with space requirements and a permit under Pennsylvania law.
