Dade City police officers chased down and captured a loose emu that was wandering through town on Sunday, July 26, the Dade City Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post.

The department said officers were dispatched to an emu sighting early in their shift. The bird had decided to take a stroll through the streets of Dade City, a small city about 15 miles northeast of Wesley Chapel.

"Before the coffee even had a chance to kick in… dispatch sent us on an emu hunt," the department wrote on Facebook.

Officers successfully corralled the emu without injury to the bird or anyone else, according to WFLA. The department described the capture as a safe rescue. FOX 13 Tampa Bay independently confirmed the incident in a separate report published Monday, July 27.

The Dade City Police Department acknowledged the unusual nature of the call, noting that emu-wrangling was not part of their academy training. The department did not identify where in Dade City the emu was found or who owns the bird. It is unclear whether the emu escaped from a nearby farm or private property.

What to do if you spot a loose animal

Pasco County residents who encounter a loose, stray, or potentially dangerous animal can contact Pasco County Animal Services at (813) 929-1212. The agency handles calls involving livestock, companion animals, and exotic or wildlife encounters across the county.

Pasco County Animal Services is located at 19640 Lake Patience Road in Land O'Lakes.