When Corporal Keisler got the call about a runaway emu blocking traffic on County Road 13 in St. Johns County, Florida, he probably didn’t expect to become an internet sensation. But that’s exactly what happened after the 25-year law enforcement veteran found himself chasing down a large, uncooperative bird and eventually handcuffing its legs. The bodycam footage, shared by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, has racked up millions of views and turned a routine animal call into one of the year’s most entertaining viral moments.
- A Florida deputy used handcuffs and a makeshift lasso to capture a runaway emu on January 9, 2026.
- The bird kicked the officer several times with its large talons before being secured in a wooded area.
- The emu was safely returned to its owner after the deputy joked he’d never handcuffed an emu in his 25-year career.
When an Emu Becomes a Flight Risk
The unusual incident unfolded on Friday, January 9, when the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a large emu wandering along County Road 13, about 20 miles west of St. Augustine. While runaway livestock isn’t unheard of in rural Florida, this particular bird wasn’t going to make things easy. Corporal Keisler’s bodycam captured the entire pursuit, starting with his radio call: “Interesting, I’m in pursuit of an emu.”
What followed was a wild chase that would make any K-9 unit jealous. The footage shows the emu racing down the middle of the road as Keisler follows behind in his patrol vehicle, updating dispatch on the bird’s movements. When he finally steps out to approach the emu on foot, things get even more chaotic. The bird completely ignores his commands and delivers several swift kicks with its powerful talons before taking off again.
The Struggle to Wrangle a 130-Pound Bird
Emus aren’t exactly easy to catch. According to the National Zoo, these flightless birds can run up to 31 miles per hour and weigh between 110 and 132 pounds. They stand nearly six feet tall and pack some real defensive weapons in the form of sharp talons designed to fend off predators. Keisler learned this firsthand when the bird repeatedly kicked at him during the capture attempt.
After maneuvering the emu off the road and into a wooded area near what appeared to be its enclosure, Keisler improvised with the tools he had on hand. He fashioned a makeshift lasso to control the bird’s movement and then came up with a solution that left viewers both amazed and amused. “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,” Keisler explained in the bodycam footage.
The technique worked. While exotic animal escapes happen across the country in places like Troy, Ohio and rural Texas, it’s not every day you see standard police handcuffs used on a bird. The video shows Keisler carefully securing the cuffs around the emu’s legs while the feisty bird attempts to bite him and continues resisting. “Are you done resisting?” he asks the emu at one point. “I don’t want to have to charge you.”
Internet Fame and a Happy Ending
The sheriff’s office shared the bodycam video on social media with a humorous write-up that played into the arrest narrative. They noted that all criminal charges against the emu were dropped and the bird was safely reunited with its owner. The post quickly went viral, with millions of people watching Keisler’s patient but determined effort to bring the escapee under control.
Keisler himself seemed amused by the whole situation. In the footage and in comments afterward, he noted that in his 25 years of law enforcement, this was definitely a first. “In my 25 years, I’ve never handcuffed an emu,” he said. “This is definitely a new one.”
The incident shows the unpredictable nature of rural law enforcement, where deputies might respond to everything from traffic stops to unusual animal rescues. In Florida, it’s legal to own an emu under certain conditions, though the animals require adherence to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations. Owners typically keep them as livestock or pets, but as this case shows, they can be quite the handful when they decide to make a break for it.
Why This Story Captured Our Attention
There’s something irresistibly charming about watching a professional law enforcement officer apply the same procedures used on human suspects to a six-foot-tall bird. The bodycam footage offers both comedy and genuine respect for Keisler’s patience and problem-solving skills. He managed to capture an animal that could have caused a major traffic accident, all while keeping his cool and cracking jokes.
The viral video also reminds us that police work isn’t always high-speed chases and dramatic confrontations. Sometimes it’s about wrangling an escaped farm animal with nothing but handcuffs, a lasso made from whatever was available, and a good sense of humor. The internet clearly appreciated the lighter moment, with comments praising Keisler’s gentle handling of the bird and his quick thinking under pressure.
David Martin 
Emily Thompson