Wallaby Escapes Home, Roams Colorado Neighborhood

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Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Colorado responded to a call about a kangaroo on the loose in a Highlands Ranch neighborhood, but when they arrived, they found a wallaby named Charlie had escaped from his owners and was hopping around the area. The deputies were able to capture the moment on bodycam, with one saying it would be the highlight of their year.

Why it matters

Exotic pets like wallabies are legal to own in Colorado, but their escape can cause concern and confusion among residents who are not expecting to see such animals roaming their neighborhoods. This incident highlights the need for proper care and containment of unusual pets to ensure public safety.

The details

According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, a concerned resident in Highlands Ranch called to report a kangaroo on the loose in their neighborhood. When deputies responded, they found that it was actually a wallaby named Charlie who had escaped from his owners. The bodycam footage shows the wallaby hopping back home as the deputy tells Charlie's owners that one of the neighbors had called it in, and that dispatch didn't know how to categorize the unusual call.

• On February 16, 2026, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office received a call about a kangaroo in a Highlands Ranch neighborhood.