Seemingly harmless animals have proven to be quite dangerous in Carbondale.

Law enforcement officers killed a deer earlier this month and destroyed an emu last Wednesday.

The emu found its way into Carbondale's northwest side before the Carbondale Police destroyed it on the 800 block of N. Allyn Street.

Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia. They have brown or black feathers and bald heads. Their long, powerful legs are not only for reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour, but can also prove to be deadly when used for defense.

Sergeant Don Priddy of the Carbondale Police Department said stray emus are something the department doesn't usually deal with.

"I've been here 20 years and this has never happened," Priddy said. "This isn't something we're trained for."

He said the department called veterinarians and the Jackson County Animal Control Office to get second opinions on how to deal with the bird.

Priddy said the officers were told the bird was very dangerous and they should not try to approach or overpower it. The Jackson County Animal Control usually deals with dangerous animals in the area of vicious dogs, Priddy said.

Jackson County Animal Control Officer Lloyd Nelson said emus attack by jumping straight up in the air and kicking with their hind legs. They have large, sharp claws on their toes that can eviscerate a person, he said.

Nelson knows how dangerous emus can be. He learned first hand.

He was almost killed by a stray emu three years ago on U.S. Highway 51. Nelson subdued the bird, but it broke free from his grip and jumped at him. He said the animal injured itself in the struggle and subsequently died.

Nelson said emus are difficult to tranquilize because they require a special mixture that many animal control units don't have on hand.

Carbondale, like many surrounding areas, does not have the tranquilizers, Nelson said.

He said the best option is to locate the owner, but the owner of the emu from last week's incident has not been located.

Nelson said the police department made the right decision when they destroyed the emu.

"Idealistically, there are options, but realistically the police used the right option," Nelson said.

The emu incident followed SIUC Police shooting a deer on campus. The deer had been attacking people during fawning season.

The Director of the Domestic Animal Department at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Daphna Nachminovitch, said it was unfortunate the bird was killed but the situation may have warranted that action.

"I really feel for the bird, but I can't outright condemn the action the police took," Nachminovitch said.

Nelson said emus are raised like cattle for their meat and eggs, so they aren't domesticated and they can react violently when agitated. He said they would strike out in an attempt to defend themselves when they are in a strange situation.