‘It’s time to crack down on this’: Proposed law would ban possession of African serval cats in Illinois
African serval cats would be added to the list of animals illegal to possess in Illinois under proposed legislation introduced by state Rep. Daniel Didech, a Democrat from Buffalo Grove.
The action is in response to a situation last November in which an African serval cat escaped from a home and was loose for nearly three hours in a Vernon Hills neighborhood.
“It’s a large, dangerous animal,” Didech said. “The village was limited in its ability to respond to it because it’s not illegal to have that type of cat in Illinois.”
He said there was a similar situation in Peoria.
“It’s time to crack down on this,” he said of the proposed update of state law involving dangerous animals. “The keeping of dangerous, exotic animals as pets is not appropriate in a residential environment.”
According to Didech, it is illegal in Illinois to possess a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, bear, hyena, wolf, coyote or nonhuman primate. He said he’s been working with experts at the Illinois Humane Society and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Didech’s proposed legislation also would make it illegal to possess a caracal (wild cat native to Africa), kangaroo, wallaby or any hybrid, cross or intergrade of a dangerous animal.
Didech said the law recognizes several exceptions, including if the animal is in a properly maintained zoological park, federally licensed exhibit, circus, research laboratory or animal refuge, for example.
The situation on the night of Nov. 18 in Vernon Hills startled police and residents. An escaped serval cat weighing 35 to 40 pounds, standing waist high and with long fangs was hissing at officers. It also chased and cornered a neighbor walking a dog, but they escaped unharmed.
The animal eventually was contained with the help of its owners who lived in the neighborhood, but it died after being captured.
On Jan. 9, village officials amended local code to more clearly define what is considered a wild animal, adding servals to the list. If a written complaint is received, police can investigate and, if it is determined there has been a violation, will require the person to remove the animal within 10 days. Under the Vernon Hills ordinance, an animal can be seized and impounded if the owner fails to comply.
Didech expected the proposed legislation, known as House Bill 4446, to be discussed in committee in March or April. The legislative session runs through the end of May.