Losing a pet is always difficult and even more so when they’re more unusual than normal. A woman is asking residents of her community in Arizona to keep their eyes peeled for her African serval.
Crystal Barroga, who lives in Nevada, Arizona, said that her three-year-old serval wanted to get a taste of the wild when it escaped through a window in Ahwatukee Foothills. “I assume she heard a bird and she tried grabbing it or getting it. She made a hole and that’s how she got out,” Barroga said.
The serval, named Bagheera, has been spotted since her escape wandering the area. Many initially mistook the animal for a bobcat because of its unusual look.
Local authorities did confirm that the serval is a legal pet in Arizona. Barroga said her pet is vaccinated, chipped and declawed and is now worried for the animal’s safety because of coyotes in the area.
“She’s harmless. She’s not going to eat your cats or fight your dogs. She’s very loving, but she does hiss and tries to look aggressive if you come to her,” Barroga said.