African serval escape illustration
Residents in Chester County, South Carolina are urged to keep a lookout for a stray exotic pet, an African serval, on the loose following a house fire on East Lacey Street. Local officials are asking residents to promptly report any sightings of the large wild cat, which darted out of the premises during the blaze.
Given that the African serval is not a domesticated species, it poses a significant threat to citizens due to its potential aggressive behavior and strength. Children and household pets should notably stay under close supervision, and indoors if possible until authorities can locate and capture the serval.
The fire incident occurred on a Wednesday night. Firefighters were informed about the escape of the African serval when they arrived at the scene. In the unfortunate event, two domestic cats were found dead, but the serval is still missing as of Friday, 11 a.m.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources initially issued a directive to shoot the wild cat on sight but retracted this order after a discussion with local law enforcement officials. The owner was provided a four-hour window to find the serval, failing which law enforcement was authorized to undertake “necessary measures”, including possibly euthanizing the creature for public safety.
Residents are strongly encouraged not to approach or attempt to capture the serval due to the severe inherent risk. Instead, sightings should be urgently reported to the police. The community is collectively tasked with supporting the safe recovery of this displaced wild animal in order to ensure everyone’s safety.
News Summary Multiple wildfires are currently spreading across North and South Carolina, prompting a state…
News Summary Columbia, South Carolina, witnessed a significant event on March 7, 2025, as Brad…
News Summary Columbia, South Carolina, is gearing up for a significant winter storm expected to…
News Summary In Newberry County, South Carolina, a manhunt is underway for 20-year-old Landon Major…
News Summary In a landmark case, the U.S. Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit…
News Summary Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, the Carolinas face significant power outages affecting…