Like a sad sequel to Cocaine Bar, a drug-fuelled serval is making headlines for its wild, albeit brief, escape from police in Ohio.
Amiry, a captive serval who became known was “Cocaine Cat,” is now recovering from its ordeal, including a broken leg and testing positive for cocaine. The animal is under the watchful care of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
“Amiry’s health has improved enough after receiving care in our veterinary facility that we were able to move him to the Cat Ambassador Program area,” the zoo said Friday. “He is still recovering from a leg injury, so the CAP team will keep an eye on that before allowing him to run, jump, and engage in other activities that might impair healing.”
“They will concentrate on helping him acclimate to a new environment and his new care team,” the facility said.
Amiry’s bizarre run from the law actually dates back to Jan. 28.
That’s when Hamilton County Dog Wardens, which handles animal control, responded to reports of an “exotic cat” or “leopard” up a tree in Oakley.
Police were arresting a driver in Cincinnati when the big cat named Amiry jumped out of the man’s car.
Dog wardens did get the cat down, although the animal broke a leg in the process, and brought him to Cincinnati Animal CARE, where an expert was called in to take a look.
Tests were done to confirm Amiry was a serval, which is illegal in Cincinnati. And for illegal substances. That’s when they realized he had gotten into cocaine, although exactly how remains a mystery.
Officials worked together to get Amiry into the best hands — at the Cincinnati Zoo.
The quickest way to do this, according to Cincinnati Animal CARE, was to get the owner to agree to the handover and avoid a potentially lengthy court process.
“His owner was cooperative and paid for Amiry’s care until all ownership transfers were finalized, which is when this story went public,” CAC explained. “The case does remain open pending additional evidence and the Ohio Department of Agriculture is also investigating.”
Now, officials are asking for any information to call Hamilton County Dog Wardens at 513-541-7387.
“We’re extremely proud of the work done in this case by the Dog Wardens and Medical Staff and are immensely appreciative to the Cincinnati Zoo for getting Amiry the care he needs,” the vet clinic added.
