Coked Up African Serval Escapes Ohio Traffic Stop
An African serval cat tested positive for cocaine after escaping a traffic stop in Hamilton County, Ohio, and is now recuperating at the Cincinnati Zoo. The big cat bolted after its owner was pulled over by police in January; it leapt into a tree, where he was rescued by Cincinnati Animal CARE.
The serval’s owner was arrested on charges not immediately made public. Animal CARE took to Facebook to report on the cat it named Amiry.
“CAC's Medical Team examined Amiry, took a sample for a DNA test and tested him for narcotics, which has become standard procedure for "exotic" animals after we seized custody of Neo, a capuchin monkey who tested positive for methamphetamine in early 2022. Amiry tested positive for exposure to cocaine.”
It is illegal to own servals in Ohio (not so much in neighboring Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania), but the handsome felines have become more popular everywhere with the rise of TikTok, where videos of the exotic animals attract lots of likes and eyeballs. Unlike a regular house cat, these wild creatures require a specialized diet (that doesn’t include coke) and care.
CAC took the opportunity to rebuke exotic-pet owners. “And now that Amiry is safe, we remind our community that there will be thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals in need of rescue entering our facility this year who will not receive this level of publicity. Please visit your county animal shelter before going to breeder when searching for your next pet!”
Photo credit: Cincinnati Animal CARE
