A domesticated, exotic cat was spotted Saturday night in Brandywine
Hundred. The cat is declawed
and has been missing since Oct. 17.
10/27/2014
"Originally I was just putting chicken down, but the foxes kept taking it," Todd said. "So I started hanging it up. I put some hooks, hanging it up with bells on them and the chicken hanging."
Although Boo has been spotted several times in Brandywine Hundred, the cat has not fallen for the chicken bait. Todd's trail cameras have not captured images of the distinctive first-generation F1 Savannah, a rare cat valued at up to $20,000.
Given Boo's breed, anyone who encounters the 35-pound feline might be in for a serious fright, because he resembles a miniature leopard. The 8-year-old domesticated cat has a small head, large ears, elongated neck and long slender legs with a pale yellow coat with natural black spots.
Boo was purchased from a breeder in El Paso, Texas, and is a cross between an African serval and an Egyptian Mau. His front paws are declawed and he's a domesticated pet who poses no risk to children, cats or dogs, Todd said.
"He doesn't normally come outside except to eat grass," Todd said. "And whenever he's gotten out, he's always come back the next day."
Todd said he reported the cat missing after an Internet posting identified the animal as a "wild bobcat" roaming north of Wilmington and he worried someone might shoot him. The posting has since been removed.
"I called the Brandywine Zoo and state and county police," said Todd, who is offering a reward for the cat's safe return.
New Castle County police and firefighters searched unsuccessfully for two hours Saturday in a wooded area near the Glenside Farms development after a caller reported seeing a large cat in their side yard, county police Sgt. Jacob Andrews said.
The cat walked through the yard then headed across Silverside Road into the woods.
Todd said the cat was seen near Forwood Elementary School at 1900 Westminister Drive about 7 a.m. Monday.
The family purchased Boo because he resembled an African serval, which Todd and his wife had seen running wild in Africa, where his wife lived previously. So disappointed by Boo's disappearance, Todd's twins skipped their 13th birthday dinner Monday.
Boo has a younger stepbrother at home, Shaka, who is an F6 (sixth-generation) Savannah who cost $6,000. Boo even has his own Facebook page.
Andrews noted that since the cat is domesticated, its safety is endangered by predators and lack of food outside his home.
There haven't been any reported sightings of big cats in northern New Castle County since the elusive cougar there several years ago, first seen in the Holly Oak area..
Anyone with information on Boo's whereabouts is asked to call police at (302) 573-2800 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333.
source
No comments:
Post a Comment