PUYALLUP, Wash. — One would think a 5-foot-5-inch emu would be easy to find, but Rachelle Cassidy said that hasn't been the case.
"It's been a rough one. We've scoured all the forest around all the little green belts, hiking. It's been a nuisance, but no signs of them yet," Cassidy, who's raised the bird with her boyfriend, said.
They've been searching in Summit View, near 112th Street East. and Canyon Road East. off Highway 512. The bird was last seen in their backyard in that area Friday night, Aug. 30. The next morning, they discovered the chain-link fence was open and two of their three emus were gone. They were able to capture the smaller of the two. Cassidy said the gate can only be opened by a human.
"Unfortunately, I'm thinking someone came in either to take them or take other stuff, but the fact nobody has spotted them in the area tells me somebody has the emu," she said.
As of this article's publication, they had only received one tip from someone who said they saw the bird. They followed up on it, but it led to a dead end.
Cassidy and her family have notified the proper authorities. They've posted on social media about the emu and put up fliers urging anyone who sees it to call them.
"If you see the emu out and about, don't chase it into the road. She's really sweet, don't be scared of her. She has no knowledge of cars or traffic, so try to keep her away from the road," Cassidy said. "If you have a yard with a fence, try to guide her that way. Call us and we’ll come get her."
As for why they have emus, Cassidy said it started with her boyfriend.
"They're just weird little birds and my boyfriend wanted to raise one. They're social, so you can't just have one," she said.