Baltimore’s Office of Animal Control captured one of two serval cats spotted roaming the Reservoir Hill neighborhood on December 5. Officials received 311 calls around 9 a.m. reporting the exotic felines. Resident videos showed the large cats on rooftops and exploring yards in the snowy area. Animal control trapped one cat in an alley using food and a catch pole, and the feline will be transferred to a licensed rescue or zoo. The second cat’s private owner recaptured their animal and secured it at home. However, owning wild or hybrid cats like servals is prohibited in Baltimore. “Even though this is a small wildcat, and not as dangerous to the public as a tiger, it’s not fair to try and keep a wild animal as a pet,” said Tammy Thies, founder of the Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota. Officials continue investigating the second cat’s ownership. (Story URL)
