‘Unicorn’ makes daring dash for freedom from California photo shoot

Californian police have been forced to summon a helicopter to help wrangle a unicorn which fled from its handlers.

Juliette, a white Shetland pony fitted with a fake golden horn, made her dash for freedom on Wednesday from a children’s photo shoot in Madera Ranchos.

The estimated 270kg creature charged through suburban streets and managed to elude capture, as gobsmacked drivers called police.

"We got a call of a unicorn running in the roadway on 12th Avenue near Road 32,” officer Justin Perry told local broadcaster KMPH.

"I've been doing this for 14 years and this is my first call for a unicorn."

The California Highway Patrol and local police eventually needed a helicopter equipped with thermal imaging to locate Juliette, who was found hiding in an orchard three hours later.

She was lured out by a neighbour and one of Juliette’s equine friends and returned to her stable – with her unicorn horn still intact.