Pet African Wildcat Dies After Escape, Capture In Vernon Hills

VERNON HILLS, IL — An African wildcat died Saturday following its escape from captivity at Vernon Hills home, police said.

A 911 call came in shortly after 7:15 p.m. from the Grosse Pointe subdivision reporting an apparent bobcat on the loose.

The caller told dispatchers that the cat had chased down a neighbor and cornered her while she was walking her dog, according to police.

Officers found the cat and began tracking it in an attempt to identify it.

Police sent an image to Illinois Department of Natural Resources personnel, who identified it as a serval, a type of wildcat native to Africa.

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," it said.

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.

Possession of servals in Illinois is not illegal, but it is against state law to sell them, according to police.

Village officials say they will review local regulations to decide whether there should be additional regulations.

“This is an unfortunate incident, and we extend our condolences to the animal’s owners for their loss,” Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis said.

“The keeping of exotic pets in suburban environments, though, is not without risk," Kreis said in a statement. "We are fortunate that no nearby residents or pets were injured by this naturally predatory animal.”