Latest news with #RutherfordCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
A pet zebra caused ‘havoc' after escaping from its owner in Tennessee
A pet zebra has been 'wreaking havoc' in Tennessee after escaping from its owner over the weekend, according to local officials. The zebra was spotted in a residential neighborhood and along Interstate 24, which had to be closed on Saturday 'because the zebra was running through traffic on both sides of the highway,' the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office wrote on social media. Eventually, the zebra 'escaped into a wooded area off Interstate 24,″ south of Nashville, and was still missing as of Monday, per the sheriff's office. It was also filmed by a home security camera in a residential neighborhood, where it can be seen running down a street, People magazine reported. The zebra's owner acquired it on Friday night, the sheriff's office said. The owner told the sheriff's office Monday afternoon that 'he is using several professional tracking groups and K9s to search for the missing zebra.' Although a zebra may be an uncommon pet, it is legal to own a zebra in Tennessee and no special permit is required to keep one, per USA Today. However, the Library of Congress says that zebras' 'unpredictable nature and tendency to attack preclude them from being good candidates for domestication,' USA Today reported. This isn't the first time an uncommon animal has escaped its enclosure and been spotted roaming the South. A kangaroo escaped from its owner in Florida last August, while 43 monkeys broke out of a research facility in South Carolina in November. Anyone who spots the runaway zebra is asked to contact the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All the memes A to Zebra: How a missing animal in Tennessee inspired cakes, songs, more
There's an old phrase popularized by Dr. Theodore Woodward from the University of Maryland in the 1940s that says, "if you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." In Rutherford County, the sound of hoofbeats could actually be an escaped zebra that has been on the loose since May 31, one day after a county resident took the animal home as a pet. Like many Middle Tennessee residents, and some beyond Middle Tennessee, Lauren Jones and her family of four have been captivated by the missing zebra, and have gotten creative on social media as the search for the animal continues. Pictures, memes, videos and jokes about the zebra have flooded the Internet in the days since the animal's disappearance. More: Zebras, kangaroos, giraffes: What Tennessee pet laws say residents can, can't own While she's been glued to social media hoping for news of the animal's safe return, Jones, owner and operator of Bunny Cakes in Franklin, ditched her popcorn for a sweet treat. "We hope he gets home ok. We're animal lovers," Jones said of herself and her family. The ongoing search gave her some baking inspiration. "Any time I see something in real life, it's just kind of an inspiration for the art of what I do. I think life's art. I think food's art." Jones worked quickly and brought a zebra cake to life before posting a picture of it on social media. Two 12-inch bourbon vanilla cakes were stacked atop each other and carved into the shape of zebra. They were filled with buttercream frosting. From there, homemade fondant was used to create the zebra's "hide" and a raised two-dimensional appearance of black stripes. The bourbon vanilla flavor profile was left over from a Father's Day order she was working on involving French macaroons, Jones said. The zebra's "fur" was created from fondant and then cut with scissors to give a ruffled appearance. The ear is a piece of marshmallow fondant. It was shaped like a teardrop before Jones used a balling tool to hollow out its midsection, "to give the ear depth," she said. Edible food powder, similar to eyeshadow, was brushed onto the fondant to give it a pink appearance. Jones isn't the only one to take inspiration from the zebra. Others have used the African equine in a variety of creative ways. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has not released the zebra's name, but that hasn't stopped people from speculating about it. The zebra has inspired a song called "Ed The Zebra" by Michael Marcovich using Suno, an AI generated software. "I've got a pet zebra, and his name is Ed. He used to be in my backyard and in my shed. He don't eat grain, he just eats hay. Well, the other night, he got away," reads one lyric. The zebra's plight has Facebook user Diamond Shine's full attention. In a June 1 post, Shine said the zebra has been the emotional support animal she didn't know she needed after having to put down a family dog recently. "Somehow, this rogue zebra galloping through Murfreesboro has brought me more joy in the last 24 hours than I ever expected," she said. "The chaos. The memes. The chase. Ed." While some are seemingly watching the zebra's every move, others are a bit more tongue-and-cheek. There are AI-generated photos of a zebra with a Middle Tennessee State University fan at a bar, decked out in a University of Tennessee baseball uniform, recommending a spray tan at Serenity Skin and authorizing a 15% off sale all items at Love's Pizza in Murfreesboro. The zebra's fame has also spread beyond Rutherford County. In one photo, the zebra is having breakfast at Waffle House with the Sumner County bear. In another, he's at Café 931 in Clarksville waiting for Taco Tuesday on June 3. "Who's joining the herd at Café 931," the restaurant asked. In another AI photo post on Facebook, the zebra is seen being pulled from Percy Priest Lake in Nashville by the Tennessee National Guard, while another photo of a zebra on a rollercoaster is captioned, "the zebra hitched a ride with us to Dollywood. He said he had an amazing time, y'all." The list goes on. And as of press time for this story, so does the search for the zebra, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office reported. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@ and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How zebra 'Ed,' on the run in TN, inspires memes, cakes and AI songs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zebras, kangaroos, giraffes: What Tennessee pet laws say residents can, can't own
A pet zebra remains on the loose in Middle Tennessee after breaking free May 31 from it's Rutherford County home. Yes, a pet zebra has been spotted galloping along roadways in Middle Tennessee. A Rutherford County resident reported the animal broke free less than 24 hours after it was obtained and made its way down Interstate 24. The zebra remained at large as of Monday afternoon, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office posted on social media. The agency noted that professional tracking groups are continuing to search for the animal, which has quickly become an Internet sensation. While many questions continue to swirl around the zebra, and the continued search for it, one looms large. Are they allowed as pets in Tennessee? Yes, they are. So, what's not allowed in Tennessee, and what is? The list might surprise you: Nonpoisonous reptiles and amphibians except caimans and gavials. Rodents like gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice, squirrels and chipmunks. Rabbits, hares, moles and shrews Ferrets and chinchillas Llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicunas, camels, giraffes and bison Semi-domestic hogs, sheep and goats Avian species like ostriches, cassowary and North American game birds Any fish held in an aquarium Antelopes Marsupials like kangaroos Domestic farm animals Equidae like horses Bobcat and other domestic cat hybrids Furbearing mammals that include those native to Tennessee that are raised for the sale of fur Primates like gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, gibbons, siamangs, mandrills, drills, baboons, gelada baboons All species of wolves All species of bears Any turtle measuring four inches or less, due to possible salmonella contamination. Native turtle species are also prohibited. Lions Tigers Leopards Jaguars Cheetahs Cougars All species of elephants Rhinoceroses White-tailed deer and wild elk African buffalo Hippopotanmus Crocodiles and alligators All venomous snakes All poisonous amphibians Black bears White-tailed deer Wild turkeys Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here's a list of animals you can, can't own in Tennessee
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Deputies investigating vehicle burglaries in Rutherford County neighborhood
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Purses and credit cards were reportedly stolen from residents of a Rutherford County neighborhood earlier this week, sparking a search for the suspected vehicle burglars, at least one of whom was armed. According to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, a home video captured a young man with an AR-style handgun breaking into vehicles around the Blackman community overnight on Tuesday, May 6. However, deputies believe there were multiple suspects, who also appeared to be young men. MTSU professor faces multiple charges, including theft and forgery, following state investigation Officials said the incidents happened on Burnt Knob Road, Sugartree Drive, Ruby Oaks Lane, and Shelly Plum Drive. Some vehicles were locked, but others were unlocked. Tensions are high throughout the Blackman community in the aftermath of the burglaries. Several people said they were very concerned about men with weapons breaking into vehicles. 'It just made it a little uneasy knowing that, I mean, we've had break-ins before, but not to this extent,' Rutherford County resident Norma Smith told News 2. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County A homeowner whose window was busted on her van said the suspect(s) stole nothing of value, but she still faces a very expensive bill for the window replacement. Authorities said one of the stolen credit cards was used on Wednesday, May 7 at a Donelson Waffle House, so they believe the suspects may live in Nashville. If you have any information about the vehicle burglaries in Blackman, you're asked to contact the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at 615-898-7777. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with illegally dumping mattress in Rutherford County
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Murfreesboro man was charged after he was allegedly caught on video illegally dumping a mattress on the side of a road in Rutherford County. In the footage shared by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, on April 12, the individual drove to the side of Florence Road, pulled a mattress and box springs out of the truck bed and quickly left the scene. More than 400 workers to be laid off from La Vergne fulfillment center On April 18, RCSO arrested Calvin Mosby, 20, and charged him with aggravated criminal littering, felony altering or falsifying registration and felony tampering with evidence. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond. RCSO said Mosby was identified with the help of local residents, the Murfreesboro Police Department's Real Time Crime Center and License Plate Reader technology. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
