THE DIRTY ARMY: I just read on the website for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Pennsylvania State Troopers killed an emu with a Taser on the PA Turnpike. After chasing Jimmy for 2 hours and attempting to lasso him, they gave up and shocked him to death with a Taser. They said he didn’t belong to anybody in the area and probably escaped from a truck. This all happened about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Here’s the full story and the address for the full story:

Troopers with Taser forced to kill emu on turnpike

Wednesday, September 03, 2008
The Associated Press

State police say they had to use a Taser on an emu, which died, because the flightless bird presented a danger on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Sgt. Anthony DeLuca says the bird created a backlog and nearly caused vehicles to crash into each other as it ran along the eastbound lanes Monday near the New Stanton exit, about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Sgt. DeLuca says officers tried for two hours to capture the 4-foot-tall bird — even attempting to lasso it — but weren’t successful. They opted for a Taser rather than using a gun, but the emu fell to the ground after it was shocked and died.

Sgt. DeLuca says the emu didn’t belong to any nearby farmers. Police say it may have escaped from a truck.

This cannot be good for Notre Dame Football.- nik