Congresswoman Denies Letting Zebras Loose in D.C. Suburb: 'My Alibi Is Solid'

Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty. inset: FOX 5 Washington DC

It’s not every day a congresswoman denies responsibility for letting a handful of zebras loose on her constituents.

However, Eleanor Holmes Norton — a Democrat who represents Washington, D.C., as a non-voting delegate — made that exact declaration on Friday when sheissued an official statementsaying that she did not release the six zebras who have beenspotted running wild in a local suburb.

“More recently, Norton has also been known to oppose unnecessary fences,” the release read.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton speaks at the Elly Awards Hosted By The Women’s Forum Of New York on June 17, 2019 in New York City.Jemal Countess/Getty Images

In a statement, Norton said that the zebras were likely “let loose on Saturday or Sunday of last weekend, a period of time during which I was enjoying quiet time at home with family.”

“My alibi is solid, but given my career of fighting for statehood for the District, which includes years of explaining the importance of having consent of the governed, and given my recent opposition to fences, I can understand why the charge was made,” she continued.

Norton added, “I hope the owners find the zebras and that all involved live long, full lives.”

When asked about Norton’s seemingly random declaration, the lawmaker’s communications director Sharon Eliza Nichols toldThe Washington Postthat it was a way to raise awareness about D.C. statehood.

“She thinks I’m mischievous,” Nichols said of Norton, who reportedly loved the idea when it was pitched on Friday morning. “So I’ve gotten her to be onboard for this type of thing, and it’s worked. She has a history of enjoying funny bits, and recognizing how they can help her connect with constituents and sort of accomplish her legislative priorities.”

According to Nichols, Norton’s zebra statement was also a nod to one that Newt Gingrich had released back in 2013, when a red panda broke out of the National Zoo and the former House Speaker joked on Twitter that hehad “an alibi” for when the animal escaped.

“I thought we deserved a ‘zebras on the run’ news cycle after living through most of 2021,” Nicholstweetedshortly after the new release was issued.

Chief Rodney Taylor ofPrince George’s County Animal Control previouslytold WUSA9that the legally-owned animals escaped from a farm last week and have been on the loose for several days.

Taylor said on Friday that the zebras have been congregating around a feeding station set up animal control officials, according toThe Post. Officials hope that officers will be able to corral the animals and return them to the farm soon.

source: people.com