Officials said the kangaroo, “Bobby Roo-lido” was being kept as a pet, which is illegal in San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Animal Care Services is investigating an unusual case after claims that an 11-year-old boy was bitten by a kangaroo at a far northwest-side residence.
Officials said the child was bitten by a male kangaroo sometime last week in his father’s backyard. The kangaroo was apparently being kept as a pet.
According to ACS, the child sustained one bite to the back. However, the child’s father, Carlos Cavazos told KENS 5 that is not what happened.
Cavazos said they were playing like usual, when the Kangaroo scratched his son.
“The nail caught him in the back and, you know, it was a little red so mom wanted to make sure it was OK, it wasn’t infected and took him to the doctor,” Cavazos said. “It just escalated from there and they were like ‘What a kangaroo?'”
ACS cited the child’s father with multiple criminal violations including possession of a prohibited animal within city limits, failure to obtain the required permit to keep the animal, failure to provide proof of current rabies vaccination and responsibility for an animal bite incident.
Cavazos said he is unaware of any criminal citations. He said he got the kangaroo for his daughter years ago. When asked if he knew it was illegal, he said he was unaware he was doing anything wrong.
Cavazos, who is a Tejano hip-hop artist with the stage name, ZEUS “El Mero Necio,” often posted publicly about his pet on Instagram.
“He’s had a great life here,” Cavazos said. “We love him, all my friends love him. All my family loves him. His name is Bobby Roo-lido.”
According to ACS, the kangaroo has been placed into a state mandated 30-day quarantine in a secured location. They also reminded the public that kangaroos are native to Australia and are not suitable as domestic pets.
City law also prohibits residents from owning certain wild animals, including kangaroos, primates, big cats and bears.
ACS is investigating the incident and is working with state authorities to determine the animal’s future.
Cavazos said he hopes the animal will be placed in a nearby sanctuary so he can visit.
“My son is fine, we played soccer right after,” Cavazos said. “Everyone is fine. If anything, he is more harmed by losing a family member.”