Hancock said a person living close to where the cat was found had come forward and was believed to be the cat’s owner. Hancock said the two would be brought together Thursday to verify the claim.
“I suggested to him that if it was his cat the first thing he needed to do was get a microchip,” Hancock said.
Hancock said the cat had been taken to an exotic animal shelter, but said he could not divulge where the shelter was.
Serval cats, which are colored like cheetahs, typically weigh between 25 and 30 pounds and originate from the Savannah plains of Africa. The cats are most commonly known for their gigantic ears.
Hancock said it is not illegal to own a serval cat in Ohio, but that owners may face citations if they do not have the proper space to adequately care for one.
“If they are raised from a kitten with a family they usually form a strong bond to one person,” Hancock said. “They have great difficulty dealing with change and can become stressed out if removed from the person they are bonded to.”
The cat appeared in good health and was apprehended without harm to animal control officers or the feline. Hancock said the cat was quite agitated and acted wild.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
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