“I live in a tough neighborhood. They got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped”

Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) was a self-deprecating comic. He told a joke about his neighborhood (cited in print since at least 2003 and in his 2004 book):
 
“I live in a tough neighborhood. They got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped.”
 
The chapter in Dangerfield’s book, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me: A Lifetime of No Respect But Plenty of Sex and Drugs (2004), where the joke appears, went on to describe his time in Kew Gardens, Queens.
 
A related Woody Allen joke is: “I came from a tough neighborhood. On my street, the kids take hubcaps - from moving cars.”
 
     
Wikiquote: Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield (November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), born Jacob Cohen, was an American comedian and actor.
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“It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me: A Lifetime of No Respect But Plenty of Sex and Drugs (2004)   
I live in a tough neighborhood. They got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped.
. p. 14
 
IGN Boards
Rodney Dangerfield Jokes
Discussion in ‘Joke and Humor Board’ started by foxmart, Jan 27, 2003.
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In my neighborhood, they got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped.
   
AboveTopSecret.com
Rodney Dangerfield joke of the day
reply posted on 20-12-2003 @ 12:24 AM by NotTooHappy
12/20/03: “In my neighborhood, they got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped. “
   
Google Books
It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me:
A Lifetime of No Respect But Plenty of Sex and Drugs
By Rodney Dangerfield
New York, NY: HarperEntertainment
2004
Pg. 14:
live in a tough neighborhood. They got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped.
When Max and Helene left, we had to move again, to an even cheaper place in Kew Gardens, next to the Long Island Railroad station, but we were still the poor trash on a ritzy block.
   
Hot Rod Forum
Classic Rodney
I>USA1
10-15-2004, 03:15 PM
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I live in a tough neighborhood. They got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped.
 
Twitter
Rodney Dangerfield
@DangerfieldSez  
“I live in a tough neighborhood. They got a children’s zoo. Last week, four kids escaped.” ~Rodney Dangerfield #funny #quotes
1:58 PM - 2 Sep 13