(WWJ) A man who drew attention two years ago for striding the streets of Detroit with a kangaroo on a leash was dealt a blow in court Monday.
Jason Stacks of Romulus learned that his kangaroo died when it was seized by police and turned over the Detroit Zoo.
The kangaroo was one of seized by Romulus police in August, on charges that Stacks was hoarding them. He says he was running a private exotic zoo, and is fighting it out in court.
During Monday's hearing on animal cruelty charges, Detroit Zoo staffers testified the kangaroo died on its way from Stacks' house to their facility. About 500 animals were seized in the raid.
"Why is the Detroit Zoo not being charged with animal cruelty when they killed my kangaroo?” Stacks said in court, per FOX 2.
Stacks ran a company called Exotic Zoo, a traveling zoo that brought exotic animals to schools, libraries and kids’ parties. They’re based in Michigan, but travel across the Midwest. Stacks said his company was licensed, both state and federally, and the animals were well treated, he said. Stacks has long argued that his zoo was a good way for inner city kids without transportation to the zoo to see exotic animals.
"We like to educate people,” he told WWJ 950 in 2017 when he drew media attention by a woman posting a video of him running down a Detroit street with a kangaroo on a leash. The same kangaroo later showed up on stage at a Detroit concert.
At the time, Detroit Zoo's Ron Kagan objected, saying it was cruel.
When the news about the kangaroo's death came out in court, the Detroit Zoo issued a statement, saying, "DZS staff did not witness anything that would have caused the injury during the process of transferring her, or see or hear anything, after she was in the transport crate that would indicate that she had injured herself in the crate.
“The City of Romulus confiscated animals who were living in impoverished conditions inside the Romulus strip mall and asked the Detroit Zoological Society to rescue two of the kangaroos. Five DZS animal care staff, all experienced in the care (and transport) of kangaroos, assisted with transferring the two kangaroos from the strip mall to the Detroit Zoo. Sadly, the female kangaroo died within minutes of our accepting her due to a fracture in her neck. Since she was constantly observed by us after our arrival and there was no evidence that anything occurred during transport that would have caused her injuries, we believe she was already seriously compromised from her living situation in the strip mall. Animals who live in impoverished and confined conditions are often compromised, subject to stress and injury on a daily basis. The rescued male kangaroo is now living in the Detroit Zoo’s 2-acre Australian Outback Adventure habitat with other kangaroos and wallabies.
"The Detroit Zoological Society is often contacted by law enforcement agencies and asked to help when exotic animals are confiscated from private individuals, as in the Romulus case. Our staff has successfully transported hundreds of animals over many years without incident. The DZS is a leader in animal welfare, and is a strong advocate for stricter state and federal laws that limit keeping of exotic animals to organizations that have the expertise, resources and commitment to ensure their wellbeing. Kangaroos do not belong in malls or small, confined spaces. Our staff witnessed poor living conditions and it is believed the kangaroos were not receiving regular care, which is why the City of Romulus seized them.
"The DZS hopes the owner, who cruelly hoarded wild animals and kept them confined without proper care, will be held accountable.”
The animal had a cracked second vertebra in her neck, and that's what caused her death during transport, zoo officials said. The zoo is home to 14 kangaroos, who roam freely for visitors to enjoy in the Australian Outback Adventure exhibit.
Stacks is due back in court March 17 to find out if he faces trial.