By KRWG News
El Paso – A report of an ostrich loose on Interstate 10 in the El Paso area turned out to involve an aggressive emu (EE'-myoo).
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says the big bird died Tuesday as it was being transported to an animal control shelter. The cause of death is pending.
The incident began shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday when deputies were dispatched to I-10 on a report of a rowdy animal.
The sheriff's department says the initial report of an ostrich on the run turned out to be an emu, which lunged at deputies.
One deputy suffered a cut pant leg, but was not seriously injured.
The sheriff's department says, "in a sad turn of events," the emu died while being transported to a shelter. The owner was not immediately identified.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.