An escape attempt by a furry Australian failed on Thursday, when it hopped in front of a sheriff's deputy's patrol car.

Pierce County Sgt. Ed Troyer says the deputy pulled over and called for backup when he thought he saw a kangaroo on 87th Ave. N.W. in Gig Harbor.

"This thing is really fast, but we managed to catch it with a net. It turns out it was a wallaby, 3 feet tall, named Mia."

Deputies found the owner and returned the wallaby. The pen appeared secure and in good shape so nobody knows how the animal, commonly found in Australia, escaped.

Tim Haeck, 97.3 KIRO FM Reporter