Recently, an emu named Hank lost his life and almost took the life of a citizen. The incident has resulted in an animal cruelty arrest being made by the Dublin Police Department.
Shawn David Kelso, 43, was arrested Friday, Nov. 14 on allegations of Cruelty to Livestock Animals Physical Abuse, a State Jail Felony.
According to information provided by the Dublin Police Department, at approximately 9:23 a.m. on Oct. 4, Angelica Martinez contacted Dublin PD stating there was an emu in the backyard of her residence located in the 500 block of West O’Neil.
“She said the emu wasn’t hers but was very friendly, and she was willing for the emu to stay in her backyard until we found the owners,” Detective Nanci Wilson said. “At one point their kids were feeding it and even led it back across the road when it got out of the backyard.”
In the meantime, the PD attempted to locate the emu’s owner, Anna Pantos, who they later determined was out of town. Hank was part of a pair and escaped fencing after being chased by the neighbor’s dogs.
Later that evening, Wilson and another officer went to the home to see the emu and check on its well-being.
“We saw Shawn walking down the street and he was excited and asked about the emu,” Wilson said. Wilson told him that Dublin PD was looking for the owner and that Martinez had agreed to take care of the bird until the owner could be located. She specifically told him to leave the emu alone.
After dark, Kelso allegedly began recruiting friends to help him enter Martinez’ backyard and capture the emu. The friend stated that Kelso was allegedly planning to barbecue the emu and Kelso promised him a piece of meat, if he helped rope it. Kelso allegedly told the friend he contacted Dublin PD who told him he could do whatever he wanted with the emu and Martinez’ husband also said Kelso claimed that Dublin PD told him it was okay to take the bird.
He also allegedly told the friend the emu was chasing kids around and scaring them. All of these items were false, according to Wilson, and the only reason the friend went along with Kelso was due to the alleged lies.
The friend often helps corral stray animals in the community and he thought that’s what was being done, Wilson said.
A witness saw several people with rope and flashlights approach the fenced-in backyard, climb over the fence and Kelso jump on the back of the emu.
Kelso then fell to the ground and directed his friend to cut the emu’s head off.
The emu responded to the attack by kicking Kelso in a move which severed his femoral artery.
Due to the quick action of those on scene and EMS, Kelso’s life was saved utilizing a belt, actual tourniquets and blood transfusions. He was airlifted and underwent surgery prior to his arrest.
The friend cooperated with Dublin PD during the investigation.
Kelso was arrested with a $14,500 bond and bailed out the same day he was arrested.
Pantos explained that they keep emus as pets but also part of their predator protection team.
“We use a combo of emus and donkeys to protect our goat herd from smaller predators like raccoons and skunks. They also usually chase off dogs and coyotes. We specifically only keep emus that are people friendly as we are very hands on with our animals since our goats are show stock,” Pantos said. “When we purchased Hank, my fiancé picked him up out of the field and carried him to our trailer to take him home. Hank very much enjoyed head scratches, veggie treats, and being sprayed with the water hose. He was very loved and we miss having him around the farm.”