The strange saga of the therapy kangaroo in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

I’ve followed this story for several months. The story has been in newspapers and network news broadcasts, but there may finally be a happy resolution.

I’ve written a lot of posts about city officials harassing pet owners and have little sympathy for the officials. But this doesn’t seem to be that kind of story.

What is established is that--

Christie Carr is unable to work for health reasons and has been diagnosed with depression. While volunteering at a local animal sanctuary, she bonded with Irwin, a brain damaged kangaroo, and offered to take him home to take care of him.

Irwin had fractured his neck running into a fence and is partially paralyzed. He can’t stand or walk, but can hop with assistance. Carr changes his diapers several times a day, feeds him raw vegetables, sleeps with him, and dresses him in little boy’s clothes when they leave the house. Irwin has made appearances in nursing homes and fundraisers as a therapy animal.

She said…

Recently Carr maintained that she was afraid the city officials would take Irwin away from her if she stayed in Broken Arrow. After informing the news media of her fears, she moved to another city to live with her parents.

"I don't know if I'll ever go back to Broken Arrow," Carr said as she made the two-hour drive to McAlester. "I don't know if I can even drive through there and feel safe."

They said…

However, it seems that the city had gone above and beyond to make every effort to work with her. Like many cities there are understandable restrictions on having exotic animals as pets. Wild animals can be dangerous and unpredictable. Kangaroos can grow up to 7 feet tall and weigh more than 200 pounds, although Irwin is not expected to grow that large.

With seeming compassion for the situation, the city council voted to create an exemption to allow Carr to keep Irwin under certain conditions that would protect the animal and the community.

Also fearing a lawsuit against the city from a victim of an attack, they required her to have a $50,000 liability insurance policy to cover any injuries he might cause.

An anonymous donor paid for the policy.

City spokesman, Stephanie Higgins, said that no threats had been made to remove Irwin. Carr had not completed the application.

"She was given a draft proposal of the application last year, and she is saying she has not received anything," Higgens said Wednesday. "We have documented that we sent her the application."

Higgins said that the city re-delivered the application by hand, and that Carr still has until later this month to complete the necessary paperwork. Nevertheless Carr has moved out of Broken Arrow into her parents’ home in another city.

Several misinformed news sources tried to make this a case for the Americans with Disabilities Act. But it isn't. Irwn is not a service dog.

The good news is that when there is a place for Carr and Irwin, they have been invited to live at Wild Heart Ranch, a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Sounds like a happy ending for Carr, Irwin, and the people of Broken Arrow who don’t need the bad publicity the case has caused them.

Comments

[jet]

"Kangaroos can grow up to 7 feet tall and weigh more than 200 pounds"

That is only true of one type of Kangaroo - the Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus). He is clearly a grey kangaroo - so he will be smaller, could be up to 6 feet tall and 135 pounds.

Since he is brain damaged and cannot move without assistance this could still be quite an issue though.

[Jen]

This is an interesting story and I would have to say that I mixed feelings about this. Laws about having exotic animals in a home are put into place to protect people and animals for apparent reasons. While I certainly understand Carr's story of wanting to keep the kangaroo, I don't totally agree with her actions.
Hopefully she will take the invite.

[jackie]

I love happy endings.

[Anne]

There are some serious issues here, but on a frivolous note, that sure is a cute kangaroo.

[Kasha (skateboards longboard)]

I think the town is awesome and the random donor paying the ins policy is amazing. What a great story. I love it!

[Kasha (skateboards longboard)]

P.S. Thanks for keeping me on your blog list! So flattered! Thank you!!!!

[Kristine]

I haven't heard this story before. Normally my opinions on exotic pets are pretty firm, but of course there are always exceptions. Carr and Irwin are clearly one of those.

What is most amazing, is that the local officials get that these laws are not all-encompassing. Sometimes there are grey areas in which leniency can be given. Broken Arrow sounds like a pretty cool place to live.

[Jodi]

Hopefully she will take the ranch up on their offer and they all will live happily ever after.

I think the town was fairly reasonable in their dealings with her. I wonder why she made it sound like they weren't working with her?

We had a case in CT where a chimp ripped a woman's face off. There were many things wrong with the story, but I can see why a town would want some type of insurance.

[Pup Fan]

Very interesting story - this story definitely seems full of details that distinguish it from most other cases. I'm glad to hear that it seems like a happy ending is in the works.