80-pound Cougar Rescued from New York City Apartment
The 11-month-old cougar was kept illegally as a pet, before being surrendered by the owner who could no longer care for her.
An 11-month-old cougar has recently been rescued from life as a pet inside a New York City apartment.
The owner alerted the authorities after realizing they could no longer care for Sasha, who weighed 80 pounds.
The complex operation involved the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) working closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation, NYC police officers, and Bronx Zoo.
Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the HSUS, said that the owner was "heartbroken" at having to say goodbye to Sasha, having fallen victim to the myth that big cats can make for good pets.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said that while cougars "may look cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be unpredictable and dangerous.”
Upon her safe removal, Sasha received veterinary care at Bronx Zoo, and is now starting a new life at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.
Jim Breheny, director of Bronx Zoo, condemned the big cat trade. "These animals often end up in very bad situations, kept by private individuals who don’t have the resources, facilities, knowledge, or expertise to provide for the animals’ most basic needs", he said. "In addition to these welfare concerns for the animals, the keeping of big cats by private people poses a real safety hazard to the owner, the owner’s family and the community at large."
This latest incident increases the pressure on Congress to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would tighten existing laws to prohibit the breeding and private ownership of big cat species.
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