US city allows woman to keep kangaroo
Source: Agencies |
May 5, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A DEPRESSED woman can keep a partially paralyzed kangaroo at her home in a northeast Oklahoma city, officials have agreed, just weeks after she was warned that the therapy pet might be run out of town.
The Broken Arrow City Council voted on Tuesday night to create an exotic animal ordinance exemption that would allow Christie Carr to keep Irwin the red kangaroo within city limits under certain conditions.
Carr is unable to work because of her health and has found comfort in the companionship of Irwin, whom she met while volunteering at a local animal sanctuary on the advice of her therapist. "Irwin is my life," she said on Tuesday at the council meeting. "He's given me strength."
Irwin fractured his neck and suffered brain damage when he ran into a fence, and Carr offered to take him home and nurse him back to health. Irwin cannot stand or walk on his own, although he can hop with assistance.
Council members had been concerned that the kangaroo could present a risk to public safety.
The permit would require exotic animal owners to have a US$50,000 liability insurance policy for any injuries inflicted by the animal, certification that the animal has adequate housing for its health and meet all federal and state guidelines for licensing.
"We believe this provides the necessary protection for the city," said City Manager David Wooden.
Carr had been devastated because she couldn't afford to buy an insurance policy for Irwin, and was certain that the pair would have to move out of her Broken Arrow home. But last month an anonymous donor paid for Irwin's insurance. "Irwin has brought me out of my shell," Carr said.
The Broken Arrow City Council voted on Tuesday night to create an exotic animal ordinance exemption that would allow Christie Carr to keep Irwin the red kangaroo within city limits under certain conditions.
Carr is unable to work because of her health and has found comfort in the companionship of Irwin, whom she met while volunteering at a local animal sanctuary on the advice of her therapist. "Irwin is my life," she said on Tuesday at the council meeting. "He's given me strength."
Irwin fractured his neck and suffered brain damage when he ran into a fence, and Carr offered to take him home and nurse him back to health. Irwin cannot stand or walk on his own, although he can hop with assistance.
Council members had been concerned that the kangaroo could present a risk to public safety.
The permit would require exotic animal owners to have a US$50,000 liability insurance policy for any injuries inflicted by the animal, certification that the animal has adequate housing for its health and meet all federal and state guidelines for licensing.
"We believe this provides the necessary protection for the city," said City Manager David Wooden.
Carr had been devastated because she couldn't afford to buy an insurance policy for Irwin, and was certain that the pair would have to move out of her Broken Arrow home. But last month an anonymous donor paid for Irwin's insurance. "Irwin has brought me out of my shell," Carr said.
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