A camel that escaped from a Palmdale property and began charging people and cars is now in the custody of animal control officials.

Investigators are trying to determine how the camel got loose. The camel’s capture was recorded by TV crews.

The L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control said in a statement to KTLA-TV Channel 5 that the “alleged owner is known not to be permitted to have the camel. The camel will be held as evidence and will be in the care of the Lancaster shelter.”

A call reporting the camel, which broke loose about 8:38 a.m., came from a person in one of the cars that the animal charged, said sheriff’s Deputy John Cereoli.


The camel was caught and penned up by about 9:15 a.m., he said.

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metrodesk@latimes.com