Wallaby, Other Exotic Wichita Pets Face Uncertain Future
Save Email Print
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
Font Size:

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.


National AP Video
Twitter News Feed
    Offbeat News Headlines
    Globetrotters Play Game On Ice Rink In New York
    0 Comments
    The Harlem Globetrotters have a new way to beat the Washington Generals — on ice. (Full Story)
    Man Allegedly Steals Ambulance With Patient Inside
    0 Comments
    Authorities say a drunken man stole an ambulance from a Wisconsin ski area with the patient and paramedics still inside. (Full Story)
    Dubai Tower Shut After Visitors Get Stuck In Elevator
    0 Comments
    Visitors on the observation deck of the world's tallest tower heard a loud boom, then saw dust that looked like smoke seeping through a crack in an elevator door 124 floors above the ground. (Full Story)
    Clinton Trip Announced Via Twitter
    0 Comments
    In a first for U.S. diplomacy, the State Department has used Twitter to announce an upcoming overseas trip by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Full Story)
    Man Survives 3 Days In Snow On Mountain Dew
    0 Comments
    A 31-year-old Indiana man says he had no food but kept himself hydrated with Mountain Dew and snow while he was stuck in his snow-covered SUV in southwestern Colorado for three days. (Full Story)
    For Some Fans, Close To Super Bowl Is Good Enough
    0 Comments
    Alvin Boseman doesn't have a ticket to the big game. (Full Story)
    More Headlines
    Extras
    Teach The World To Read
    Donate used children's picture books at Dillons. The books will be distributed to kids in Kansas and across the country.
    Travel Links
    Click here for flight information, road conditions and gas prices for your travel plans.
    H1N1 News
    Click here for the latest news regarding the H1N1 virus.
    Health Connect
    Click here for health resources from local medical providers
    KAKE DVD Collection
    Click here to order KAKE DVD's including the Christmas classic, "Santa's Workshop".
    Upickem Pigskin Payoff Contest
    Click here to go to our pro football season contest!
    First United Methodist Church of Wichita
    Click here to watch Sunday services live.