Police officers were led on a wild goose chase by a rampaging llama roaming the streets of a neighbourhood after escaping from its home.
Officers were called to reports of an escaped animal walking around the streets of a residential area in Fairfax, Virginia, US.
The team of cops were joined by Animal Protection - and the ensuing chase was caught on video.
Thermal imaging cameras showed the teams struggling to pinpoint the llama’s location in a nearby woodland area before it sprinted off, leaving teams in its wake.
Footage also showed officers getting close to the animal, before it ran off.
Eventually they managed to catch up and located it into a van to be taken to a nearby animal shelter.
Fairfax County Police Department shared a post on their Facebook account about the incident, adding: “Llama drama! Our officers are prepared for anything.
"That doesn’t mean we’re still not surprised when we get a unique call for service.
“Always ready to give chase when a suspect flees, our officers and animal protection police (APP) encountered a nimble, furry suspect Sunday night.
“A passerby saw a llama out for a jog on the Fairfax County Pkwy near Popes Head Road.
“After eluding our officers, the llama was found in a backyard and safely taken secured by APP. A trailer was brought to safely transport the llama to the animal shelter.”
Several people commented on the post, with one laughing: “Love the laughter of the pilots.
“Also the comments 'Llama in custody' and 'Do you have an ID?' Lol!
“They could use some light hearted calls this time of year!”
Another took a more serious look at it and wondered about the cost.
They added: “Funny, but I cringe at the cost for both officers on the ground and and air time for FFX1 to apprehend a llama on the lam.”
Another joked: “Good Job, heroes in blue and gray.
“Ya'll need a horse unit for times like this! I am pretty sure they didn't teach llama roundup at the Academy.”
Earlier this year police in Lincolnshire chased an escaped sheep down a busy stretch of road.
The animal was seen running on the A158 in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, before it was safely caught and returned to the field from where it came by police.
LincolnshireLive reports some people made light of the unusual situation and said officers caught it before it could commit a "ram raid."
Officers also said "thank ewe" to the public that helped them to catch the sheep and return it to a field so that both the sheep and road users were safe.
