African serval cat on the loose in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A cat native to Africa called a serval is on the loose in Decatur. Adult servals generally range between 25 and 30 pounds.

Animal Control of Macon County said the wild cat is loose on the North East side of the City of Decatur. "We are working with an exotic animal rescue to capture it. We do consider the Serval to be dangerous and ask the public not to interact with it if it is found."

Christopher Solomon says the serval is his pet and he desperately wants to find it. The serval, who he named Reese, lived with him in his apartment for two weeks before it got loose after a guest left the door open.

"I woke up at about one o'clock in the morning shivering cold because the door was wide open and was trying to figure out what was going on with my cat," said Solomon. "But the cat was gone. I called the police and Animal Control who tried to find him. We did see him once that night, but he disappeared too quick. And unfortunately, we never found him again."

Solomon says there have been disputes over the legality of his ownership of the serval. He says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have sent him an email saying he is allowed to own the cat. However, Sergeant Ron Atkins, the administrator of Macon County Animal Control with the Sheriff's Department, says these types of animals are not permitted.

"We've determined that you cannot possess a serval in the city of Decatur," said Atkins. "My understanding is that serval ownership would constitute having an outdoor enclosure to keep the animal in."

Solomon lives in the Northeast corner of Decatur, near the intersection of Mound Road and Camelot Drive. The serval has been spotted in the area several times, according to Sgt. Atkins.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources wanted to clarify to residents that the department only has oversight of native Illinois species. Other species, including exotic animals, are regulated under other state statutes, federal code, and local ordinances.

"As always, IDNR wishes to remind people that wildlife do not make good pets. Anyone who encounters the serval or any other exotic animal in the wild is advised to report the sighting to animal control in their local county. Be sure to give the animal plenty of space, back away slowly, and do not run."

Solomon says he did a lot of research on the species before adopting the serval, and has experience with exotic animals. In the time he had the cat, it interacted with multiple children, and shared a bed with Solomon without any issues. Solomon said because servals tend to live for 20 or more years, he was planning on it being a longtime companion.

"Words can't even begin to describe how much I've cried every time I go out of my apartment and I feel that cold, I know he's out there alone scared and confused and that hurts so so bad," said Solomon. "I don't even care how much I've got to pay in fines, I  just want my baby to be found and safe and brought back into the warm."

Call Animal Control at (217) 425-4508 Ext. 4 to report any sightings of the animal.

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