A peculiar incident unfolded in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on April 23, when an emu named Picasso allegedly chased a woman, leading to serious injuries. Ann Edwards, who was out walking her dog on Hessey Road, found herself in an unexpected confrontation with the large bird after it escaped from a nearby home.
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Edwards recounted her frightening experience, stating that the emu charged at her without warning. “When I saw him barking and looking behind me, my dog, I turned around and I saw that thing and I thought, ‘What in the world am I going to do?’” she recalled to WKRN. The encounter quickly escalated, and before she knew it, Picasso had knocked her over, resulting in significant bruising to her left arm. Edwards later reported that she was largely unable to use her arm due to the injury sustained during the incident.
The emu had escaped from its residence after slipping through a faulty gate latch, embarking on a short journey that led to the encounter with Edwards. Witnesses reported seeing Picasso moving erratically, alternating between walking and speeding up as he pursued Edwards, who was desperately trying to escape the situation.
In a moment of panic, Edwards reached out for help, calling both 911 and Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control (MACC). During the call, she mentioned having pepper spray on hand but found it ineffective against the unpredictable bird. “I had some pepper spray, but he kept chasing me, and I fell and got hurt,” she told the dispatcher.
Local resident Kadie Patterson also witnessed the surreal scene. “I saw an emu come out of the woods and walk across to a house — it was in their front yard,” Patterson shared. She described the oddity of the situation, remarking that it was indeed more than a little unusual to see an emu in the area.
Responding swiftly to the calls for help, MACC officials soon arrived on the scene. They proceeded to capture Picasso, who appeared distressed while in custody. A video of the rescue was later shared on MACC’s Instagram account, accompanied by a light-hearted caption reflecting the bizarre nature of the event. “Ok, who had this on their 2026 bingo card?” the post read, concluding with a nod to the unpredictability of daily life.
Picasso was subsequently transported back to MACC’s Nashville facility in a trailer. The emu’s owners were later contacted and retrieved their pet over the weekend following the incident. Although the animal was safe, the encounter left a lasting impression, particularly on Edwards, who is still dealing with the physical consequences of the encounter.
As of now, inquiries regarding the specific details of the incident have been directed to MACC, who have yet to provide a statement clarifying their response. The event has certainly sparked conversations about pet safety and the unexpected behaviours of domesticated animals.
Animal control officials advise pet owners to ensure that their enclosures are secure to prevent similar occurrences. Incidents involving unexpected wildlife run-ins can pose dangers not just to the animals, but also to members of the community. As strange as this instance may seem, it serves as a reminder to stay vigilant when caring for pets, regardless of their species or temperament.
For those in Mt. Juliet, the tale of Picasso the emu will likely remain a curious story for some time to come, illustrating just how unpredictable life can sometimes be.