Wallaroo two

The couple who seems to have made the first stray wallaroo call to police yesterday dashed off an e-mail to me tonight to describe their surprise at what they saw and how big the story has become. David and Frances Pietroski were taking a drive from Watertown to the Turning Stone Casino yesterday afternoon when they thought their eyes had deceived them. It looked like a kangaroo on the edge of the Thruway.

Fortunately, the 911 dispatchers had some idea there was a missing marsupial on the run. David and Frances did their duty by making the report. They then continued to the casino and enjoyed their evening. Frances didn't realize how big a deal that sighting had become until they got home later at night and Googled kangaroo.

A day later Australian media is covering the story describing the wallaroo as "one mitre tall" and on the loose in an area "400 km from New York City". Half way around the world New York City does appear close to Chittenango...even if we certainly know better. Their article is calling the critter Bandit. That's the name owner Jeff Taylor came up with on the spot when I reached him by phone as this whole escapade began yesterday. The Los Angeles Times also has picked up the story and countless other versions of online media and Twitter tweets.

On Facebook some of my friends who read last night's blog proved to be amusing and clever in describing the Thruway Authority's likely attempt to charge some kind of toll for Bandit. One commented "I'm sure NYS will try to count it as a 2 axle vehicle...or better yet, a transporter (marsupial pouch)...so a higher toll can be collected." We can already see the legislation getting printed.

Bandit the wallaroo has quite literally made a name for himself. If Jeff Taylor can just find a way to bring him home safely he might just make a few dollars after all on his love for fascinating animals. David and France Pietroski might even stop by for a look on their way back to Turning Stone. After all - spotting the wild creature turned out to be their biggest win of the night.



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