A hilarious video from the Greenspoint area shows a woman's reaction to that very scenario.
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"Y'all see this ostrich? Somebody done lost they ostrich," Yvette Fleming said. "Uh oh. He's taking off running. He's moving now. What in the world."
It actually wasn't an ostrich. It was an emu that got loose Thursday afternoon.
Fleming was in her car when she saw a couple of Houston police cruisers, with their lights on, chasing the large bird.
According to HPD, officers were called to the 300 block of North Sam Houston Parkway East in response to a traffic hazard.
They arrived at the scene to find it was an emu on the loose.
The game warden eventually caught the emu, and since they're not illegal to own, it was returned to its owner.
SEE ALSO: Cows beat the heat while roaming neighborhood on Houston's southside
Cows beat the heat while roaming neighborhood on Houston's southside
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The Houston area is no stranger to bizarre animal encounters.
Earlier this week, a group of cows was seen wandering a neighborhood on the city's southside, lounging in the shade in front yards on an especially hot day.
From tigers and alligators to horses and otters, Houston has seen it all.
MORE ANIMAL SPOTTING STORIES:
Murder suspect who was linked to tiger in west Houston has been arrested on evading charges
Tuesday update: Murder suspect seen with tiger arrested on evading charges
Otters spotted playing in Houston's Buffalo Bayou
2 otters seen splashing around in Buffalo Bayou during Nicholas
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Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo in 2005 spotted on Texas coast
Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo in 2005 spotted on Texas coast
Alligator creates traffic delay on Fred Hartman Bridge
Houston traffic is a zoo, and this gator on a bridge proves it
Man visiting Texas City Dike captures rare sighting of manatee
Manatee spotted off Texas City Dike
Loose horse spotted crossing SH-288
Horse spotted roaming on Hwy 288 in Midtown