Owner knew how dangerous cougar that mauled teen could be – Florida

The cat dives between his legs and begins pawing his ankles; though Chaos was declawed as a cub, he has visibly powerful jabs. “He’s a youngster,” Rigerman says, trying to steady himself. “He hasn’t learned his manners yet.” He shuffles away from Chaos, who darts behind him and leaps up on his owner’s back, placing both front paws on his shoulders. Rigerman jerks upright, in agony.

 

“No!” he barks, his voice echoing like an explosion off the walls. “Bad! Bad! Get back!” He bops Chaos on the head; the cat slinks away. “Does he actually know it’s bad? I don’t know, but he stops.”

 

The moment passes like an eternity. For Rigerman, whose arms bear several bite marks and long scratches, this counts as a pleasant encounter. “Look how good he’s being,” he says as the cat ecstatically runs his fur through Rigerman’s fingers.

Zitnick rolls his eyes as Rigerman explains all of this; the young man seems impatient to get Chaos out. “He’s a good guy,” Zitnick mutters as Rigerman walks into the next room. “He just talks a lot.”

 

Once in the cage room, Rigerman suggests they take out Chantell. Zitnick rolls his eyes again. “When was the last time you did that?” he asks.