Last Wednesday morning, an Atlanta woman experienced every cat lady’s dream that could have become a nightmare.
As she woke, she noticed a cat had jumped on her bed. But this was no little tabby - it was a two-and-a-half-foot long serval, a spotted wild cat native to Africa.
The woman, Kristine Frank, who lives in the suburb of Brookhaven, admitted, “It was scary.” CNN reports that Frank continued, "That's not a normal house cat. I don't know what that is, but I am terrified right now.”
She ran straight out of the room, recognizing the severity of the situation. “You can’t predict what a wild animal is going to do when it’s cornered,” said Frank.
Her husband quickly took their dog outside and slid open a patio door in hopes the wild cat would leave. Instead, the cat sauntered through the yard a bit more, and the husband was able to take a few quick pictures before it finally bolted out and disappeared into a nearby golf course.
She called animal control, which told her to contact the Department of Natural Resources, who is now investigating.
Lt. Wayne Hubbard of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources told local station WGCL that servals are popular in the exotic pet trade, and that he assumes it probably belongs to someone. Though they are illegal to own in Georgia, there are no federal laws against it.
The agency set a trap last Thursday, and once caught, the Animal Legal Defence Fund plans to settle the beautiful little beast into a sanctuary.
ALDF Senior Legislative Affairs Manager Alicia Prygoski told CNN this case demonstrates the importance of prohibiting wild cat ownership.
"Wild cats are not meant for private possession," Prygoski said. "The wild cat trade in this country is really not well regulated, which results in many species of wild cats, including servals, living out their lives in private homes which are not adequate environments for the natural behaviors that they exhibit."
Prygoski further warned that anyone who sees the serval should stay away from the cat and contact animal control or the DNR.
Frank realizes this could’ve taken a much worse turn.
“I have an elderly dog, I’m lucky I don’t have any small children anymore. But… this is a wild animal. They shouldn’t be pets!”
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