Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(116,516 posts)
Tue Aug 31, 2021, 03:47 AM Aug 2021

Pet cougar rescued from Bronx home: 'Eventually something bad would have happened'

That’s one less cougar on the prowl.

Animal rescue authorities said an 80-pound pet cougar was surrendered last week by its owner, who called a sanctuary after realizing the big city was no place for a big cat.

The Humane Society of the United States and the state Department of Environmental Conservation teamed up with the NYPD to remove the 11-month-old cougar from a Bronx home after the owner called for help.

Authorities took the cougar to the Bronx Zoo for safekeeping until veterinarians from an Arkansas-based wildlife refuge arrived to transport it to their sanctuary.

“They came to the realization that this cougar is getting large, and it is dangerous,” said Emily McCormack, animal curator for the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. “Those claws and those teeth and the pressure of the bite. You cannot take the wild out of these animals. Eventually something bad would have happened.”

Read more: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-cougar-bronx-home-removed-to-sanctuary-20210830-2uh7msghdvh5lmx2vhjyrfhdga-story.html

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pet cougar rescued from Bronx home: 'Eventually something bad would have happened' (Original Post) TexasTowelie Aug 2021 OP
I used to visit the Western North Carolina Nature Center with my grandmother Rhiannon12866 Aug 2021 #1
Wild animals make terrible pets. multigraincracker Aug 2021 #2
Well, I had a mouse, frogs and a turtle when I was a kid Rhiannon12866 Aug 2021 #3
My ex was a rehabber and had two "pet" bobcats. multigraincracker Aug 2021 #6
Stupid people should have known a cougar is not a 'pet'. They are wild animals and I wish... CousinIT Aug 2021 #4
Dammit!! ailsagirl Aug 2021 #5

Rhiannon12866

(221,186 posts)
1. I used to visit the Western North Carolina Nature Center with my grandmother
Tue Aug 31, 2021, 03:56 AM
Aug 2021

It's a sanctuary for wild animals who can no longer live on their own. There were several big cats there - most had been "pets." How can anyone be so clueless??

Rhiannon12866

(221,186 posts)
3. Well, I had a mouse, frogs and a turtle when I was a kid
Tue Aug 31, 2021, 04:29 AM
Aug 2021

The mouse I bought in a store and my Dad had us set the turtle free in an artists' colony with woods and a stream. I like to think he's still there. But anyone who decides to make a pet out of a big cat is just asking for trouble. My domestic cat who I found as a kitten in a supermarket parking lot is wild enough.

multigraincracker

(33,959 posts)
6. My ex was a rehabber and had two "pet" bobcats.
Tue Aug 31, 2021, 08:05 AM
Aug 2021

They were wild when she got them and she socialized them so they could not be released. So they were educational animals. Not socializes enough. One was untouchable and the other was dangerous and lived in the house. That was illegal. Had a fox or two also. Trust me not good pets.

There is a feral tom cat outside my house that I feed. After several months, I petted his head yesterday. He is a domestic breed. Not going to be in the house and I hope he stays out the road.

Having exotic and wild animals is more about the person and not the critter.

CousinIT

(10,037 posts)
4. Stupid people should have known a cougar is not a 'pet'. They are wild animals and I wish...
Tue Aug 31, 2021, 05:21 AM
Aug 2021

...people would leave them in the wild and protect their habitat and leave them be.

But there are always selfish, greedy IDIOTS.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»New York»Pet cougar rescued from B...