document: Okla. woman wants to keep disabled kangaroo as therapy pet - Crimesider -LRB- CBS/AP/KOTV -RRB- BROKEN ARROW , Okla. - Oklahoma woman Christie Carr suffers from depression , but says she 's found solace with an unusual therapy pet - a partially paralyzed kangaroo named Irwin . But officials in Broken Arrow , east of Tulsa , say the kangaroo is in violation of a city ordinance banning exotic and wild animals . In an interview with CBS affiliate KOTV , Carr said she is not trying to break the law and in fact brought the animal to the attention od the city . Carr is seeking an exemption from the Broken Arrow City Council to keep the 25-pound great red kangaroo that she cares for much like a child . Irwin - named after '' `` Crocodile Hunter '' '' Steve Irwin - rides in a car seat , is dressed in a shirt and pants each day and is rarely away from his doting caretaker . At the advice of her therapist , Carr began volunteering at a local animal sanctuary , where she met the animal , then just a baby . Less than a week later , the kangaroo ran into a fence , fracturing his neck and causing severe brain damage . Carr volunteered to take the animal home and , while nursing him back to health , developed a bond . Irwin can not stand or walk on his own , although he is slowly gaining back mobility and can hop three or four times in a row with assistance , she said . '' `` Irwin will not live if I have to give him up , '' '' Carr said , adding that she would rather leave town . '' `` I ca n't imagine a day living without him . '' '' Native to Australia , healthy male great red kangaroos can grow up to 7 feet tall , weigh more than 200 pounds and bound 25 feet in a single leap . But because of his accident , Irwin is n't expected to get larger than 50 pounds . Carr told KOTV that Irwin will be mobile , but that '' `` he wo n't get anywhere very fast . '' '' His veterinarian , Dr. Lesleigh Cash Warren , wrote in a letter to the council supporting Carr 's request to keep him . Neutering has also lessened any chance he will become aggressive . Carr 's therapist certified the animal as a therapy pet under the Americans with Disabilities Act . Carr , who is unable to work because of her health , makes sure the animal never leaves her side for more than an hour , often accompanying her on errands and going out to eat . Broken Arrow Mayor Mike Lester said he worries what could happen if Irwin is able to regain full mobility . The council last week delayed considering the issue until an April 19 meeting , to give City Attorney Beth Anne Wilkening and other staff time to research the issue . '' `` There 's just a myriad of things we need to consider , '' '' Lester said . Every exception made sets a precedent , and the council must take that into consideration , Wilkening said . The council may decide to create an exotic animal review committee that would look at each animal on a case-by-case basis , he said .
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