PLATTE CITY, Mo. — Officials in Platte City have to decide if a family should get their pet wallaby back. They have to decide if the the pet is considered an exotic animal or a family pet.
The animal escaped from a home last week. The situation is similar to that of Suco the chimp who escaped from a Kansas City home in 2010. Noah, the wallaby, has been kept in isolation at the Kansas City Zoo. His family wants him back but city leaders are taking their time to decide what should be done with the animal.
A man called 911 after seeing the animal. It probably seemed like a hoax to call takers until another call came in from the Hillview Nursing Home.
FOX 4 talked to the animal’s owner.
“He’s like a little brother to me, really,” said Emily Wood. “My mother specializes in exotic animals, so he’s like her little baby.”
Wood, 16, admits Noah is an exotic animal, which is something Platte City doesn’t allow.
“I’d say this is a little on the unusual side,” said Keith Hicklin, Platte City attorney.
Hicklin admits he normally deals with speeding tickets, not run-away wallabys.
As for if a wallaby is considered an exotic animal, Hicklin said it’s something the city is going to research.
Wood says Noah isn’t a threat to anyone.
“He doesn’t kick,” she said. “He doesn’t box. He doesn’t bite. He actually likes to lick your hand. I would never recommend them as a pet for just anyone. Like I said, my family specializes in exotic animals, so he’s not like a cat or a dog. He’s more like a baby.”
Wood says her family hopes to get a special use permit so they can keep Noah. They may find out at a public safety meeting on Dec. 6 if the city will allow that.
