Illegal Pet Kangaroo Ordered to be Removed from San Antonio City Limits

Summary:

SAN ANTONIO, TX – An illegal pet kangaroo was ordered to be removed from the San Antonio city limits after it caused “multiple injuries” to the owner’s son, according to Animal Care Services. The 11-year-old boy suffered at least one bite to his back on June 29 at his home on the far Northwest Side.

The owner, Carlos Cavazos, told KSAT his son was going to feed Bobby, the kangaroo, and as he set the bowl down, the animal reached to give him a hug and “scratched” him. “(The kangaroo’s) nails got caught in his shirt,” Cavazos said. “When he moved, they both got startled, and he just got caught. It didn’t bleed, it was just red.” As a precaution, the boy’s mother took him to a doctor, who reported the incident to ACS. Any scratch or break in the skin is classified as a bite under Texas law, ACS officials said.

After the incident, the male red kangaroo was placed in a 30-day quarantine at the San Antonio Zoo. Any animal other than cats and dogs must be quarantined for up to 30 days to be deemed healthy. Following the kangaroo’s quarantine, ACS gave Cavazos seven days to find his pet a new home outside of San Antonio. He was also issued several citations and ordered to pay more than $500 for quarantine fees to ACS.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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