Emu remains on the loose in Pendleton County

A flightless emu remains on the loose Tuesday, says the Pendleton County Animal Shelter.

The privately-owned emu has been missing for five days, shelter officials said. The bird, second in size to the ostrich, got out after a tree fell on a fence, shelter officials said. The emu ran into some especially thick woods and was was last seen running west into the woods on Ky. 22.

Messages left with the bird's owner by the Enquirer have not been returned.

People are asked to call 911 or the animal shelter if they see the emu rather than try to capture it on their own as the bird is scared.

The birds like to guard fence lines, so the hope is it shows up along someone's fence according to the shelter.

Food and water are not expected to be an issue for the bird, shelter officials said. The birds eat plant seeds, fruits, flowers and young shoots. They also eat insects and small vertebrates when they can find them, according to shelter officials.

If you see the emu, call the owner Melissa at 859-739-0057, the 911 dispatch center non-emergency number at 859-654-3300 or the Pendleton County Animal Shelter at 859-472-5400.