McKEESPORT, Pa. — A McKeesport family is calling for change after their pet emu was attacked by dogs and had to be put down.
People in McKeesport are asking for help after an emu was allegedly attacked by dogs in a local neighborhood.
Video circulating on social media shows two dogs chasing an emu up a street in McKeesport.
Unfortunately, that chase ended with the emu’s death. Now the owners of the emu, known as Queen Barb, are speaking out after dealing with the neighbors’ dogs for years.
David Callos and Carly Stroman told Channel 11 the dogs have killed other animals.
“They pushed the fence in and that’s how they were able to get in and that’s how the emus were able to get out! Otherwise, they are contained 100% and they are a docile animal,” emu owner David Callos said.
“They killed eight of my chickens in one day. One fell swoop with two dogs coming through the fence,” Stroman said.
According to the owners, the McKeesport police will not file charges because the attack was on an animal. She’s tried reaching out to the dog warden but has not heard back.
They say the death of their emu just emphasizes the danger on their street.
“We have a kindergartener. She’s only 5 years old. It could have been her,” Callos said.
They are now working on transporting the remaining 5 emus to a farm with their other 10.
They’ve also created a GoFundMe to help build a larger facility on their farm to house all of the emus, and eventually allow the public to visit.
“Hopefully by the end of the week, we will be able to get everybody in a safer position away from the dog fence,” Callos said.
Channel 11 has reached out to the McKeesport Police Department about the situation but has not heard back.
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