OXFORD, MS -
(WMC-TV) – A circus is taking blows for having "kangaroo boxing". As a result, a local organization is hoping for a knock out when it comes to the controversial circus act.
When some would-be circus goers found out about the kangaroo bout, the police were called in to investigate.
Rocky the boxing kangaroo, held by a leash and wearing trunks and gloves, is the star act of the Star Family Circus scheduled to be at the National Guard Armory in Oxford next week.
Oxford Police Chief Joey East got the call about the boxing Kangaroo from one of his investigators while he was in a meeting.
"It was first brought to our attention by a concerned citizen," East said. "It was the first I'd heard about it. I was taken aback about the deal so I heard concerns that they were actually going to bring something up here and someone was going to be boxing a kangaroo."
This is not the first time the boxing marsupial has caused controversy. The Arkansas National Guard called off the show. The boxing marsupial, according to the circus owner, goes around with a clown who doesn't actually hit the animal.
A statement from the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society notes that PETA has found 20 citations to the Star Family Circus for violating animal welfare laws, failure to provide a kangaroo with adequate veterinary care and housing.
Oxford police plan to go to the circus.
Chief East said the owner of the circus has called off the fight in Oxford. He said Rocky might just eat popcorn so the kids can see a real live kangaroo. Oxford police will be there just in case.
"If there is any type of animal cruelty, we will be there to enforce the laws," Chief East said.
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