Kansas City police shoot African serval cat
KANSAS CITY (AP) – An exotic African cat roaming a Kansas City neighborhood has been shot and killed by police.
The cat was a serval, an African breed that resembles a small cheetah. Servals have spotted coats and long necks. They stand about 20 inches at the shoulder.
Police received several calls from a northern Kansas City neighborhood from residents worried the cat was dangerous to children. But efforts to trap it over several weeks were unsuccessful, and an officer shot it Thursday with a patrol rifle.
Police think the cat was dumped or had escaped from people who were keeping it as a pet. The identity of the owners is not known.
(http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2008/11/24/news_state/039state25topcat.txt)
Pa. officials: Exotic cat killed near Philly
Associated Press – November 26, 2008 7:05 PM ET
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – A Chester County farm caretaker says he thought he was shooting a bobcat in the chicken coop — then his heart sank when he saw it had a collar.
The animal he killed was a serval, a small, cheetah-like exotic cat that someone was keeping as a pet.
George Heim runs the Garrett Mill Farm about 20 miles west of Philadelphia.
He says he called a friend who works for the state game commission and was told he could shoot the animal. The game commission confirmed his account and says Heim was within his legal rights to protect his chickens.
Heim says once he realized he'd shot a pet, he was sad for the animal — and angry at its owner for allowing it to be out.
Servals are found in many parts of the African continent. They are carnivorous and typically weigh about 35 pounds.
(http://www.wfmj.com/Global/story.asp?S=9421360)
—
For the cats,
Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
an Educational Sanctuary home
to more than 100 big cats
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625
813.493.4564 fax 885.4457
http://www.BigCatRescue.org
SaveTheBigCats@gmail.com
Sign our petition to protect tigers from being farmed here:
http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=9952801&type=CU
This message contains information from Big Cat Rescue that may be
confidential or privileged. The information contained herein is intended
only for the eyes of the individual or entity named above. You are hereby
notified that any dissemination, distribution, disclosure, and/or copying of
the information contained in this communication is strictly prohibited. The
recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of
viruses. Big Cat Rescue accepts no liability for any damage or loss caused
by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.
