2 Escaped Servals Shot in KS and PA same day

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)
--
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Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
an Educational Sanctuary home
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