A pet emu named Emmanuel became a TikTok sensation in 2022.

 A pet emu named Emmanuel became a TikTok sensation in 2022.

She worries emus kept as pets by inexperienced owners will have to suffer through bizarre feeds, wearing diapers, having improper footing in a house, being placed in chlorinated deep family swimming pools and taunting by children.

Judge rules on 'highly unusual' case

Olenik appealed his case to a higher court. He testified how Nimbus is a companion animal who helps his mental health; explained he wasn’t keeping the emu for food or fiber; and presented a letter from his therapist who wrote Olenik should continue his therapy with an emotional support animal “unencumbered.”

The judge ruled in his favor. “While it is highly unusual that someone would keep an emu as a pet — or as a companion animal — while also residing in the heart of suburbia, Defendant has shown that it is not impossible,” Virginia Beach Circuit Court Judge Kevin Duffan wrote in his decision on July 27, 2023.

He found Olenik not guilty of violating city code and permanently dismissed the case.

Still, Nimbus won’t be coming back to the household. Before the judge’s decision, Olenik says the city required him to remove the emu from his home, so he sent her to his friend’s ranch in Tennessee in June. There, she met Oreo, a male emu, and the two have become bonded. Olenik didn't want to separate the pair and decided to let her stay. He plans to get another emu chick this winter.

The whole experience inspired him to run for office. He’s running as an independent in the upcoming election for Virginia House of Delegates 96th District.

“I asked every single politician in my area for help with my emu, and they laughed at me,” Olenik says, noting he has a simple message for voters.

“You like how hard I fought for an emu? Wait 'til I fight for you, my constituent, even harder. I’m tired of a tyrannical government.”