Runaway Emu Handcuffed By FL Deputy: Watch

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL — A deputy lassoed and handcuffed a runaway emu Jan. 9 on County Road 13 in St. Johns County, authorities said. (Watch a deputy's bodyworn camera footage from the incident below.)

Corporal Keisler responded to reports of the emu and tried to secure the large bird, who “ignored his commands, kicked several times using its large talons and fled on foot recklessly,” the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a social media post.

Keisler chased the emu down the road and eventually was able to secure it with a makeshift lasso and handcuff its legs.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’ve never handcuffed an emu before, but they’ll fit around his legs and that’ll keep him from kicking,” he can be heard saying in the video.

The video also shows the emu evading capture and running away from the deputy.

“Are you done resisting? I don’t want to have to charge you,” Keisler can be heard saying in the video.

At the end of the video, the bird was reunited with his family who led him across their property by a leash.

“Come on, baby,” the woman holding his leash can be heard saying.

Keisler said, “In my 25 years, I’ve never handcuffed an emu. This is definitely a new one.”

Watch the deputy's bodycam footage of the emu capture:

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