Police were literally caught on the hop when a runaway wallaby gave them a 40-minute run around after it escaped during a windstorm.

Video shows officers from the sheriff's department struggling to catch the runaway marsupial.

The wallaby escaped after its enclosure was damaged by high winds in a storm.

Deputy Bytmar, from Maricopa County Sheriff's office in Wadden, Arizona, USA, responded to a call from a neighbour who thought they had seen a kangaroo.

The sheriff's office said: "The owner stated that the wallaby escaped from its enclosure due to damage from a storm."

The wallaby was finally rounded up by police and experts from Farm Angels Sanctuary.

It was found to be in good health, and its owners willingly surrendered the marsupial to the sanctuary.

A spokesperson from the sheriff's office said, that while legal, Arizona is not an appropriate place to care for wallabies in captivity.

Maricopa County PD said: "Wallabies are legal to own in Arizona. Just because one can own, does not mean they should."

"Wallabies are NOT pets. Wallabies are wild animals that should not be kept in captivity."

"Lisa from Farm Angels Sanctuary advised she had access to veterinary personnel who would be able to complete a health assessment on the wallaby."

"She would be able to care for the animal until the owner was identified."

"Once the owner was identified, the owner wished to surrender the wallaby to the sanctuary."