A cat native to Africa, which was initially reported to police as a bobcat, has been captured after it escaped and was noticed roaming round Vernon Hills.
The Vernon Hills Police Department issued a warning to residents in regards to the animal Saturday night.
The police stated residents ought to use warning as a consequence of a potential bobcat sighting.
Officers obtained the report of a bobcat within the Grosse Pointe subdivision.
“Please watch your pets, especially at night,” the police division stated within the alert.
Several residents reported seeing the animal however stated it was not a bobcat as initially reported.
“Please take this seriously, folks. My neighbor and I were out walking our dogs and encountered it. It was about as big as my 75-lb. pitty and was seriously stalking the dogs. It was not afraid of us; it got within a few feet,” one resident stated.
“I thought for sure it was going to attack the dogs. We are safe because we started yelling and some good-hearted neighbors let us into their homes, then called VHPD (thank you for your swift response, VHPD!) I am feeling very grateful (and shaken) tonight,” the resident added.
Police officers stated in an update Sunday morning that the animal was confirmed to be an African serval cat.
The proprietor of the escaped serval was recognized and assisted in efficiently capturing it.
Vernon Hills police confirmed it was not the identical serval cat that went lacking in downstate Illinois close to Decatur final month as that serval had already been captured earlier this week.
