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Kangaroos on the loose in Texas as police respond to amusing call

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Kangaroos on the loose in Texas as police respond to amusing call

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A police department in Texas had quite a surprising call last week: Kangaroos were on the loose.

“On Sunday morning, officers were sent to a report of a KANGAROO hopping down Fuller Springs Drive,” the Lufkin Police Department wrote in a Facebook post on May 22. Lufkin is a small city in eastern Texas. 

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The department also attached a video from the police cruiser responding to the call, along with the audio of the 911 call reporting the kangaroo sighting. 

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A bewildered man can be heard saying, “Ma’am, I don’t know who I need to call,” noting that he could not find a number for animal control that was currently open. 

“I’m right here on Fuller Springs Drive … and there’s a kangaroo come up the road and crossed right here,” he said. 

The Lufkin Police Department responded to a call on Sunday, May 19, that a kangaroo was on the loose.  (Lufkin Police Department)

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The dispatcher, confused, asks the man if the kangaroo “looked like it might belong there.” 

The man added that his wife initially thought the kangaroo was a dog, and laughter can be heard on the call.

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“We’re on our way to go eat breakfast, and I look, and I’m like, ‘That’s a freaking kangaroo!’ and it just starts hopping, coming down the road,” said the caller. 

A kangaroo can be clearly seen crossing the road in front of the police cruiser in the video. 

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The department clarified that the kangaroo was fine.  (Lufkin Police Department)

The kangaroo was returned safely to his residence, the Lufkin Police Department wrote at the end of the video.

A representative from the Lufkin Police Department told Fox News Digital that there were actually two kangaroos that had gotten loose that day — and that both were OK. 

She thanked those who reached out about the animals’ brief escape. 

“We are grateful the kangaroos made it home safely. It was a call no one could have ever predicted, proving once again that life is stranger than fiction,” the representative wrote in an email.  

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Shelby Lowery, the kangaroos’ owner, confirmed in a Facebook post that her kangaroos were safe at home, and thanked those who reached out about their brief escape. 

“Red and Hopper are doing great!!” wrote Lowery in a Facebook post on May 20. 

The Lufkin Police Department dubbed the animal “Kangaroo Jack,” and joked he was the star of the 2003 film of the same name. (The actual film used a CGI kangaroo.) The kangaroos were named “Red” and “Hopper.”  (Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage)

She said their escape was “by far my worst nightmare” and that she was afraid the kangaroos were hurt, killed or had injured someone. 

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“There were so many scenarios running through my mind. But thank goodness after assessing the situation, getting a headcount of all of our Roos we were only missing our two males,” she wrote, adding that she “love(s) my kangaroos and I am so happy to have them back safe, and doing well.” 

“My husband and I can relax now but will also be DOUBLE-CHECKING our gate locks from here on out,” she said. 

The video of the call was viewed on Facebook more than 60,000 times in less than a day, with many people commenting about the strange situation. 

The Lufkin Police Department also posted a new logo on its Facebook page — now featuring a small kangaroo.

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“That’s a freaking kangaroo!”

“This is the BEST police call for LPD that I’ve ever seen! Such a great response and ending for Kangaroo Jack! Love it,” said one Facebook user.

“The fact she asked if the kangaroo belonged there is what killed me,” said another Facebook user, adding, “Ma’am this is Lufkin, Texas. I don’t think it belongs there.” 

While kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea, Texas is one of a handful of states where it is legal to keep one as a pet, said the magazine Texas Monthly. 

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Texas has a similar climate to Australia, meaning that the pet kangaroos have adapted quite well to their new surroundings, said the magazine. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Lowery, the kangaroos’ owner, for additional comment about her kangaroos. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle. 

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

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Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.

Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.

He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.

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At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota. 

She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.

Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.

“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.

In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.

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On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”

“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888

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Los Angeles, Ca

Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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