Kangaroo fails owner, wreaks havoc in Florida

Sylvie Claire / July 21, 2020

A kangaroo that had failed its owner wreaked havoc on the streets of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before being apprehended by hilarious police officers.

Animal news stories are relatively frequent in this southeastern US state with a tropical climate, but they more often involve alligators and giant pythons than marsupials in the wild.

Fort Lauderdale residents therefore alerted the police Thursday after seeing Jack, a 2-year-old kangaroo, frolicking through their city, located north of Miami.

“Seriously. I know you must think I'm crazy, but everyone stopped to watch, almost knocking him down. And I wouldn’t like him to get run over, ”one advised in his emergency call, reports local newspaper Sun Sentinel.

According to images captured by the pedestrian camera of one of the officers dispatched to the scene, the animal did not offer too much resistance.

Surrounded by obviously very amused police officers, who managed to put a leash around his neck, he was led in the back of a police vehicle to a stable accommodating mounted guard horses. .

Police quickly tracked down Jack's owner Anthony Macias, who said the kangaroo was living at his home with his little dog, a corgi called Max.

“They love each other. They play and run together, ”he told the Sentinel Sun.

The Florida Fauna and Flora Commission were a little less amused than the police by Jack's getaway: his owner, who notably did not have the necessary permits to detain him, will face three offenses.

He faces up to 60 days in prison and a $ 500 fine.