{"id":22126,"date":"2025-05-21T02:55:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T08:55:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/durango-police-nab-pet-kangaroo-for-second-time-in-less-than-a-year\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:12:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:12:01","slug":"durango-police-nab-pet-kangaroo-for-second-time-in-less-than-a-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/durango-police-nab-pet-kangaroo-for-second-time-in-less-than-a-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Durango police nab pet kangaroo for second time in less than a year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Durango
Durango Police Department officer Shane Garrison captures Irwin, a red kangaroo, that escaped his confines for the second time in eight months on Monday near East Second Avenue and College Drive. It is legal to own red kangaroos, but police said with pet ownership comes certain responsibilities. (Courtesy of Durango Police Department)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

For the second time in less than a year, the Durango Police Department captured a pet kangaroo that escaped its confines and went for an early-morning hop through a downtown neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Irwin, the red kangaroo, was reported on the lam shortly before 6:30 a.m. Monday near East Second Avenue and College Drive \u2013 \u201cabout where it was the last time we dealt with it,\u201d said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the police department.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody driving by saw the kangaroo near the street, and they were concerned for its safety, so they gave us a call,\u201d Stasi said.<\/p>\n

\"This
This still image from video provided by the Durango Police Department shows Irwin the pet kangaroo on the loose Monday in Durango. (Durango Police Department via AP)<\/span>(Durango Police Department via AP)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Officers last dealt with Irwin in September<\/a>, when he led police on a pursuit through the same neighborhood. While officers may have doubted the reporting party\u2019s veracity eight months ago, this time they had no reason to second-guess the eyewitness\u2019 account.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur officers, kind of knowing a little bit of the backstory and just the uniqueness of the kangaroo, were very excited to go find this thing again and rescue it one more time,\u201d Stasi said. \u201cIt\u2019s not something our police officers do very often, and the chance to snuggle a kangaroo is pretty interesting for us, considering all the other things that are part of our normal duties.\u201d<\/p>\n

Officers\u2019 biggest concern was keeping Irwin safe, especially making sure he didn\u2019t get hit by a car.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was really no concern that it was going to attack anybody,\u201d Stasi said. \u201cIt was actually very calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Durango
Durango Police Department officer Shane Garrison captures Irwin, a red kangaroo, that escaped his confines for the second time in eight months. (Courtesy of Durango Police Department)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"This
This still image from video provided by the Durango Police Department shows Irwin the pet kangaroo cornered by police. (Durango Police Department via AP)<\/span>dur-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

It is legal to own red kangaroos, but with pet ownership comes certain responsibilities, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are hopeful that the owners of this animal, and any animal, understand that it is the owner\u2019s responsibility to have care over their animal to make sure that it is not getting into dangerous situations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

It was not immediately known how Irwin got loose. It is believed he escaped through an open or unlocked door.<\/p>\n

No citations were issued.<\/p>\n

The roo was eventually cornered. Officer Shane Garrison, who grew up on a farm, gave Irwin a little pet, then grabbed it and picked it up like a goat or a calf and carried it to a waiting police vehicle.<\/p>\n

\"This
This still image from video provided by the Durango Police Department shows Irwin being place into custody. (Durango Police Department via AP)<\/span>(Durango Police Department via AP)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Irwin, named after Steve Irwin \u2013 aka \u2018the Crocodile Hunter\u2019 \u2013 was taken to the La Plata County Humane Society. He was picked up later that day by his owners.<\/p>\n

No officers were scratched or injured.<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently, it is very soft, and it was very docile,\u201d Stasi said.<\/p>\n

Police fielded several media calls Tuesday about the escaped kangaroo, including news outlets from Denver, Albuquerque and The Associated Press.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s entertaining,\u201d Stasi said. \u201cI don\u2019t know of any other police agencies in the country who have captured a kangaroo \u2013 let alone twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

shane@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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