Okla. woman fights to keep paralyzed kangaroo

[joeybee12]

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — An Oklahoma woman suffering from depression has found solace in the company of an unusual companion, but local city officials worry that the therapy pet — a partially paralyzed kangaroo — could become a public safety risk.

Christie Carr is seeking an exemption from the Broken Arrow City Council to keep Irwin, a 25-pound great red kangaroo that she cares for much like a child. Irwin rides in a car seat, is dressed in a shirt and pants each day and is rarely away from his doting caretaker.

At the advice of her therapist, Carr began volunteering at a local animal sanctuary, where she met Irwin, then just a baby. Less than a week later, the kangaroo named for famed Australian animal expert Steve Irwin ran into a fence, fracturing his neck and causing severe brain damage.

Carr volunteered to take the animal home and, while nursing him back to health, developed a bond. Irwin cannot stand or walk on his own, although he is slowly gaining back mobility and can hop three or four times in a row with assistance, she said.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42371459/ns/us_news-wonderful_world/

[rocktivity]

1. Oh, this ISN'T an April Fool's Day joke!

:crazy:
rocktivity

[xchrom]

2. oy. let her keep him. nt

[Terry in Austin]

3. Okay, and then they walk into a bar, right? -nt

[mimitabby]

4. "he wears clothes to protect him from germs"

Although I agree that the govt ought to leave her and her roo alone, she sounds a little batty to me.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. We should all be a little innocuously batty.

300,000,000 people in America and some people think they all have to wake up at 5:30 in the morning.

[joeybee12]

7. She has been treated for depression...

yeah, she's a little different, but the kangaroo aint' gonna survive without her!

[Kadie]

5. Here are some pictures of Christie and Irwin...

In this March 30, 2011 photo, Christie Carr gets a lick from her kangaroo, Irwin, as they leave the Broken Arrow Nursing Home in Broken Arrow, Okla. Carr suffers from depression and has found solace in Irwin, but local city officials worry that the partially paralyzed therapy pet could become a public safety risk.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)


In this March 30, 2011 photo, Christie Carr, right, shows Irwin the kangaroo the sign residents of Broken Arrow Nursing Home have made for him in Broken Arrow, Okla. Holding the sign are Daisy Stout, left, Mary Butler, center, and Florence Rhodes, right. Looking on at far right is Martha Rowe. The sign was made to show the city council that they support Irwin. Carr suffers from depression and has found solace in Irwin, but local city officials worry that the partially paralyzed therapy pet could become a public safety risk.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)


In this March 30, 2011 photo, Christie Carr puts her kangaroo, Irwin, into a car seat for the ride to visit a nursing home, in Broken Arrow, Okla. Carr suffers from depression and has found solace in Irwin, but local city officials worry that the partially paralyzed therapy pet could become a public safety risk. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)


In this March 30, 2011 photo, Christie Carr dresses her kangaroo, Irwin, in a shirt and pair of blue jeans in her home, in Broken Arrow, Okla., before going out to visit a nursing home. Carr suffers from depression and has found solace in Irwin, but local city officials worry that the partially paralyzed therapy pet could become a public safety risk. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)


from news.yahoo.com

[meow mix]

12. lol, cute

poor little guy hope he continues to recover

[Blue Owl]

8. Nice contrast to the hideous abuse stories we're bombarded with

The dressing-up thing is a little over the top. But at least she's not beating and starving the poor thing to death.

Some animals (including people) enjoy being doted over!

K&R for animals!

[joeybee12]

9. You know, that does seem weird, then again, humans, when paralyzed

are more prone to infections...it may be necessary to dress the little guy up.

[Evolve_Already]

10. Sweet, sweet story.

Our animal friends never disappoint. Leave this woman alone.

[LibertyLover]

11. How in the heck can a partially paralyzed 25 pound

kangaroo with limited mobility become a public safety risk? Just let Ms Carr keep him and care for him. It sounds like it's a good deal for both parties.

[Yo_Mama]

14. Really

Like what, he's going to fart massively and start an explosion??? If he recovers enough to get more active, then he can go back to a more normal life. In the meantime, he's not exactly a fearsome threat. An angry chipmunk could probably beat this roo up.

It's hard to figure out their logic:


Let's see....

We've got wars, nuke plants shooting out radiation, we're cutting benefits for Medicaid recipients, people are losing unemployment benefits with unemployment still over 8% (never been done before post WWII), we're talking about cutting Social Security....

I KNOW! Let's go after the REALLY BIG PUBLIC RISKS --- the terrifying danger presented by a mostly paralyzed kangaroo the size of a toddler.

[joeybee12]

13. Kick....