Wallaby, Other Exotic Wichita Pets Face Uncertain Future
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Updated: 8:04 PM Nov 16, 2007
Wallaby, Other Exotic Wichita Pets Face Uncertain Future
The council will now take a closer look at the exotic animal law and exactly which animals should be banned.
Posted: 4:07 PM Nov 16, 2007
Email Address: jennifer.bocchieri@kake.com
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Dogs and cats are normal household pets. Now the city council is looking at a law that would make it stay that way.

It all started with Skippy, a pet Wallaby. His escape from a west Wichita home and his owner's subsequent court case exposed a loophole in the city's exotic animal ban.

Its a loophole that city staff want to close. The city says they could carry disease, so they sought to remove vague language in the law which would outlaw the Wallaby and potentially many other animals.

But its a step that some city council members don't want to take.

"I just fail to see that this guy really caused a harm to the community and I don't think it's necessary that we need to create an ordinance to prevent it," says City Council Member Paul Gray.

The council will now take a closer look at the exotic animal law and exactly which animals should be banned.

"I think it's going to be really hard to come up with anything like that," says City Council Member Sharon Fearey. Fearey says if the council makes exceptions for animals by size, then alligators could be legal.

And it's nearly impossible to just list off every single animal that should be exempt from the ban.

That's why Fearey says she doesn't think any so-called exotic animals should be allowed within city limit,"It may catch some people in having to get rid of a loved pet but you know that unfortunate but our job here at city council is to look out for the well being of every citizen. I think that's what we have to do and not just look at Skippy's cute little face."

The council will discuss the issue at it's workshop on Tuesday.


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