The search for a runaway emu in Calvert County has a sad ending.
The emu was apparently shot and killed by a farmer who found the bird off Chaneyville Road in the northern part of the county on Thursday, WTOP reported.
Authorities put out prior warnings about the emu after it was spotted several times since November in the Huntingtown area.
The Calvert County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Unit urged people not to approach the bird because it used its legs to defend itself and had knife-like toenails.
Authorities said the farmer felt the emu was a threat to his safety so he shot it. He will not face charges since he did not violate any environmental or wild animal gaming laws.
