RESIDENTS in the Barcelona-province town of Sant Cugat del Vallès did a double take yesterday (Wednesday) evening when they saw an emu rush past them down the street.
Police received a call at around 17.00 to report the native Australian bird's being loose in the Valldoreix neighbourhood.
Two patrol cars and two motorbikes pursued him for nearly two-and-a-half kilometres, as far as the town centre, when the bird suddenly collapsed.
Police did not use any firearms, tranquiliser darts or any other equipment to stop the bird in his tracks, they stress.
When they rushed to the emu's aid, they found it was dead, and its body was taken to a veterinary clinic.
The owner has not been traced, but could face a fine of between €400 and €2,000 for keeping an imported breed of exotic animal on the premises, as well as the cost of the bird's cremation.
Officers have been heavily criticised by locals for pursuing the bird by motorbike, since it is likely this would have caused him to suffer a heart attack.
