Emu evades PCSO deputy in Clinton Township

Monday, June 6, 2022
Encountering a new hazard of rural law enforcement, Cpl. Scott Ducker tries to reason with a stray emu on Saturday near the Parke County line.
Courtesy PCSO

PORTLAND MILLS — If you’ve watched traditional or streaming television in the last three years, then you’re probably familiar with LiMu Emu (and Doug).

In the ubiquitous TV spots, Doug — styled as a 1970s cop show detective — touts the benefits of Liberty Mutual car insurance while emu partner LiMu ... well ... behaves like a wild bird.

Apparently the real versions of these oversized birds are just about as helpful to police officers.

No, Cpl. Scott Ducker of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has not taken on a flightless avian partner. Instead, the veteran deputy spent part of Saturday trying to wrangle a stray emu.

“You watch ‘Cops’ or ‘Live PD’ and you see those big city officers getting in car chases with bank robbery suspects, foot chases with drug dealers and the way cool SWAT team kicking down doors,” Ducker, the department public information officer, posted on Facebook. “As for me ... well ... today I had to try and reason with an escaped emu that kept running into the road. Those things are huge! And they don’t take orders from law enforcement very well.”

Lamenting that “rural law enforcement life sure is different,” Ducker found about as much cooperation as the hapless Doug.

“I wasn’t able to catch the emu,” Ducker wrote. “I mean, what was I supposed to do if I did get close enough? Taser him and put the cuffs on?

“I was later informed by a neighbor that the owners have been attempting to catch it, though unsuccessful so far,” Ducker said. “They are working on a new plan to try and catch it. If you’re traveling on U.S. 36 near Parke County border, use caution and watch out for the emu.”

As of Monday afternoon, there was no word on whether the fugitive emu had been apprehended.

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