When Fort Lauderdale police received a call about a kangaroo running loose in the city, they were shocked but immediately hopped into action. The kangaroo was bouncing around in traffic near 1300 NE 2nd Avenue, with authorities in hot pursuit, creating a unique spectacle.
"I've been a police officer for 26 years. I've had snake calls and python calls, maybe an alligator, but never heard of a kangaroo around here," said Officer Robert Norvis.
In cellphone footage sent to Local 10 News, the cameraman provides commentary appropriate to the situation:
"Yo, that's so crazy. What? This is South Florida," he says.
It took half an hour before Fort Lauderdale police were finally able to capture the kangaroo.
"We just tried to corral it and keep it out of traffic," said Norvis. "He's very friendly. We were able to get a rope around his neck and get him in the back of the car."
The kangaroo was taken to the police stables, where it will remain until the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission takes it somewhere else. As for where it came from, it was confirmed that the animal was someone's pet. The police department used the incident as an opportunity to remind residents that it was against the law to keep exotic animals within city limits.
It is unclear whether or not the owner will be charged with a crime.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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