This is the bizare moment police and residents chased a runaway emu through a field in Ohio.

The large exotic bird had escaped its enclosure at a sanctuary and sprinted near a forested area in Columbus on July 24.

Bodycam footage shows officers and civilians surrounding the wary animal as it headed into the woods. Though the emu was not hostile, it proved elusive, evading several attempts at capture.

The bird was finally caught when a man managed to snare its neck with a catchpole. It was strapped onto a stretcher and returned to the sanctuary unhurt.

The Columbus Division of Police wrote said: 'Quite the ‘emusing' call officers received this morning working Zone 3 in southwest Columbus. Thanks to help from several Columbus Police officers, this runaway emu was captured and returned to its sanctuary unharmed.'