After Serval Cat Incident, Police Look To Update Rules On Wild Animals

VERNON HILLS, IL — Village officials in Vernon Hills are looking at ways to tighten up the village code surrounding what types of wild animals should be allowed in town following an incident last month where a serval cat, which is native to Africa, got loose in the Grosse Pointe neighborhood.

During a village board meeting last week, police chief Patrick Kreis provided a report regarding the incident and suggested trustees look at revising rules prohibiting residents from keeping wild animals, according to the Daily Herald.

State law, as well as local rules, does not prohibit residents for owning a serval cat but that is expected to change when a new animal control ordinance is voted on in January, according to the article. The ordinance will not prohit all exotic pets, such as certain reptiles and snakes, but does "deal with things that are vicious, poisonous or otherwise a risk if they get out,” Kreis said.

The serval cat got loose in the Grosse Pointe neighborhood on Nov. 18, and reportedly chased down a resident and cornered her while she was walking her dog, according to police.

According to police, officers soon found the cat's owners, who were also looking for the animal around the neighborhood. The animal's owners helped police capture and control the animal to get it to their nearby home, police said in a statement.

"As the owners attempted to transfer the cat from a vehicle to its enclosure, the serval sustained injuries which ultimately resulted in the animal’s death," according to authorities.

• Pet African Wildcat Dies After Escape, Capture In Vernon Hills

Police said they determined that the cat escaped from its pen while the owners were out of the home. It is believed to have been on the loose for nearly three hours.

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