A runaway wallaby sent sheriff's deputies on 40-minute chase after the marsupial escaped from its home during a windstorm.

A video released by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona, USA, shows officers struggling for forty minutes to catch the runaway wallaby.

Deputy Bytmar responded to a call at four am in the morning from a neighbour who thought they had seen a kangaroo in the Waddell area.

The wallaby had escaped after the enclosure it was kept in was damaged during the storm.

Sheriff's deputies and staff from Farm Angels Sanctuary, an animal rescue service, were deployed and found the animal hiding near a retention basin.

The marsupial was in good health and willingly surrendered by its owner to the sanctuary.

The sheriff's office said: "The owner stated that the wallaby escaped from its enclosure due to damage from a storm.

"Wallabies are legal to own in Arizona. Just because one can own, does not mean they should.

"Wallabies are NOT pets. Wallabies are wild animals that should not be kept in captivity."

They continued: "Lisa from Farm Angels Sanctuary advised she had access to veterinary personnel who would be able to complete a health assessment on the Wallaby.

"She would be able to care for the animal until the owner was identified.

"Once the owner was identified, the owner wished to surrender the wallaby to the sanctuary."