A Rutherford County resident’s pet zebra broke free on Saturday, May 31, and made its way to the interstate — causing an afternoon of chaos before escaping into the woods.
Drivers took to social media to report narrowly dodging the animal as it was weaving in and out of traffic. Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies quickly closed a section of I-24 eastbound and westbound in Christiana, but they were unable to capture the zebra.
Corporal Zach Campbell met with the owners of the zebra, who said they obtained the animal less than 24 hours before it fled their property.
On Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office reported that the zebra had still not been caught. Other official social media pages, including the Rutherford County EMA, continued to update the situation into the afternoon.
A pet zebra runs loose in Rutherford County on May 31, 2024.
The zebra was last spotted heading into the wooded area between Joe B. Jackson Parkway and the Epps Mill Road exit late Saturday afternoon, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. Some reports Saturday evening falsely stated that the animal had been captured.
“Initial reports stating the zebra was contained were mistaken,” Rutherford County Commissioner Jonathan Beverly said in a statement.
Can zebras be pets in Tennessee?
While the Library of Congress says zebras’ “unpredictable nature and tendency to attack preclude them from being good candidates for domestication,” it is legal to own one in Tennessee.
Tennessee categorizes zebras as Class III animals— along with llamas, camels, and giraffes — which means they do not require any special permits or paperwork to be kept as pets.
Found the zebra? Call the sheriff
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who spots the zebra to call 615-898-7770 and report the location.
Individuals should not approach the zebra if found, officials said.
Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at [email protected]. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Pet zebra escapes in Rutherford County, shuts down traffic
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