In a deeply distressing incident that unfolded in Mesa, Arizona, a woman’s pet emu met an untimely end at the hands of local law enforcement.
The bird, affectionately named Richard, was known to occasionally wander off, but always found its way back home. However, this time, the story took a tragic turn when police officers were called in to assist.
The incident began innocently enough, with Richard breaking free from his enclosure and wandering around the neighborhood. A concerned neighbor alerted the local police department, hoping they could help guide the bird back home.
However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control as the officers attempted to restrain the emu using a rope, causing severe damage to its long, fragile neck.
A pet emu that went missing from a farm in Ancaster has been killed by Six Nations Police. http://t.co/kufb1rtqiI pic.twitter.com/ZRLTHQkBoh
— 900 CHML (@AM900CHML) September 2, 2015
Footage captured on a cellphone shows the officers struggling to force the bird into their patrol car.
One officer can be seen with his hands around Richard’s neck, while another image reveals a rope lassoed around the bird. Despite the bird’s desperate attempts to break free, the officers persisted in their efforts to corral it into the vehicle.
The situation took a grim turn when the bird suddenly appeared lifeless, its long neck hanging upside down. The officers attempted to revive Richard by offering it water, but their efforts were in vain. The bird remained unresponsive, leaving the officers helpless and the owner, Stephanie Moilan, heartbroken.
Moilan expressed her grief and outrage over the incident, stating, “You can’t put a lasso around their neck, trying to yank on them and get them to do what you want them to do. You’re going to kill them.”
She described Richard as an ‘awesome’ pet who loved cuddles and hand feeding. The loss left her and her family devastated.
One count for each officer felony animal abuse the Rope used by these officers was in humane to this animal mourns death of beloved pet emu named Richard after police tried to put her in squad carhttps://t.co/1IQytmFNqG
— Kelly Keller (@KellyKelle66775) October 3, 2023
Michael Davis, a witness who captured the tragic chain of events on camera, criticized the police’s heavy-handed response. He noted that Richard was calm and non-aggressive, merely wandering around.
Davis also pointed out the officers seemed ill-equipped and untrained to handle the situation.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office defended their actions, stating that they always err on the side of caution when dealing with wild animals in populated neighborhoods. They claimed that attempts were made to contact the Department of Agriculture for assistance, but were unsuccessful.
The office expressed regret over the bird’s death, but maintained that the deputies used the resources available to them at the time. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for proper training and resources when dealing with unusual situations.
