MONROE COUNTY, Mich. — After receiving reports of an exotic wallaby "running free" in Bedford Township, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office released a statement regarding the situation.
According to a press release, the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing and enforcing exotic animal breeders and facilities, rather than the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The wallaby issue was reported to the USDA, who stated the wallaby does not pose a threat to public safety, as it will not approach humans, dogs or other domestic animals.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough asks anyone with information on the wallaby’s owner to report the information directly to the USDA at https://www.usda.gov/. If the wallaby is spotted, please contact Monroe County Central Dispatch at 734-243-7070. Do not approach the animal.
Officials from the Indian Creek Zoo, which is located in Lambertville, Michigan, responded to claims from the public that the animal was from their facility on Oct. 20. In a Facebook post, they said all of their animals were accounted for.
Wallabies are medium-sized marsupials native to New Guinea and Australia. They are in the same taxonomic family as kangaroos.
MORE LOCAL HEADLINES FROM WTOL 11
Want more from WTOL 11?
➡️ Download the WTOL 11 news app for Apple here or get it in the Google store here.
➡️ Get a fresh start to your morning and wrap up your day with the latest news and your WTOL 11 Weather forecast delivered right to your inbox!
WTOL 11's Your Morning Blast and Your Evening Blast deliver stories from northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan and beyond to keep you informed.
Click here to get on the list!
