In a scene that could only happen in the Sunshine State, a Florida emu arrest has gone viral after a deputy was forced to use handcuffs to detain a rogue bird leading authorities on a chaotic chase. The incident, which unfolded in St. Johns County, has captured the internet's attention as one of the most bizarre Florida man animal stories of 2026. The deputy involved, Corporal Tommy Keisler, found himself in a high-stakes foot pursuit with the flightless fugitive, ultimately resorting to tactical gear to bring the situation under control.
The Great Emu Escape on County Road 13
The chaos began when the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office received reports of a large, flightless bird weaving through traffic on County Road 13, just west of St. Augustine. Corporal Keisler, a 25-year veteran of the force, responded to the call expecting a routine animal control situation. "I just figured, well, you know, it's just an oversized turkey. No problem. I'll go take care of this real quick," Keisler later recounted. However, the bird—a 6-year-old emu named Tina—had other plans.
Upon making eye contact with the deputy, the emu bolted, initiating a pursuit that Keisler described as "literally like pursuing a miniature velociraptor." The dashcam and handcuffed emu video footage shows the deputy jogging alongside the bird, attempting to corral it away from oncoming traffic while the emu zig-zags unpredictably.
"You Have the Right to Remain Silent"
After a mile-long chase, the situation escalated when the bird was cornered near a fence. Realizing that the emu's powerful legs and talons posed a significant safety risk, Keisler made a split-second decision that has since become legendary in weird local news 2026. Lacking specific training for large ratites, he improvised.
"She was tired. I was tired, so I felt like the best thing for me is, let me just get slipped these cuffs on so she's not going to run anymore," Keisler explained. The deputy managed to secure the bird's legs using his standard-issue handcuffs, effectively neutralizing the threat of a kick. The body camera audio captured the surreal moment perfectly as Keisler quipped to the detained bird, "Are you done resisting? I don't want to charge you. Don't talk back to me."
A Career First for the Veteran Deputy
The deputy handcuffs emu quote that has been shared thousands of times highlights the absurdity of the job. "In my 25 years, I've never handcuffed an emu," Keisler told reporters, admitting, "I must have missed the day of emu combat training." The unconventional arrest method worked flawlessly, keeping both the officer and the animal safe until the owner could arrive.
Reunited and Charges Dropped
The rogue emu on the loose was identified as Tina, a beloved pet belonging to Stephanie Sarnowski of Elkton. Sarnowski revealed that Tina had escaped after a gate was accidentally left open. When she arrived at the scene and saw her emu in cuffs, she couldn't believe her eyes. "Like, wow. This is a first. I've never seen an emu handcuffed before," Sarnowski said. "If this ain't some Florida stuff, I don't know what is."
Fortunately for Tina, the long arm of the law is also forgiving. The Sheriff's Office confirmed that the bird was released into her owner's custody without citation. "All charges were dropped," Keisler joked. The story serves as a hilarious reminder of the unpredictable nature of policing in Florida, where a routine traffic stop can turn into a prehistoric pursuit in the blink of an eye.
