Many may be familiar with it cocaine bear, the comedy thriller based on the true story of a black bear found dead near a duffel bag loaded with $2 million worth of cocaine.
But have you ever heard of Cocaine Cat?
There is no movie yet, but luckily his story has a happy ending.
Earlier this year, a 35-pound African serval — named Amiry — escaped from a car police pulled over for a Cincinnati traffic stop.
The startled cat ran into a tree. During the rescue by the local animal control, Amiry broke his slender leg.
Photo by: Cincinnati Animal CARE/Facebook
He was admitted to Cincinnati Animal CARE, where the medical team tested him for narcotics. The hospital explained on Facebook that this “has become standard procedure for ‘exotic’ animals after we took Neo, a capuchin monkey who tested positive for methamphetamine, into custody in early 2022.”
They soon discovered that Amiry was on cocaine.
Photo by: Cincinnati Animal CARE/Facebook
Recovering at the zoo
In Ohio, it’s illegal to own multiple cats, not to mention snort cocaine. Amiry’s owner was not arrested, but he had to give the cat to the Cincinnati Zoo.
The zoo announced on Facebook that Amiry is on the mend.
“Amiry’s health has improved enough after care at our veterinary facility that we were able to move him to the Cat Ambassador Program area yesterday. He is still recovering from a leg injury, so the CAP team will monitor that before allowing him. run, jump and participate in other activities that may hinder healing. They will focus on helping them get used to a new environment and its new care team,” they wrote.
So where did Amiry get the blow? Police are still investigating whether Amiry’s cocaine intake was accidental or forced. Charges against his former owner are still pending, Troy Taylor, the chief dog guard for Hamilton County, told me City Beat.
What is a server?
The serval is a wild cat native to Africa. It has a small head, large ears, golden yellow to buff fur mottled and streaked with black, and a short black-tipped tail. The serval has the longest legs of any cat relative to its body size.
The cats have recently become increasingly popular as pets and are legal in certain states. According to Pets4Youthey can cost anywhere from $1000 to $1500.
Still, many animal experts disagree with the trend, saying servals need a balanced diet and specialized care far beyond a house cat.
“There are much better options for pets that are much safer, economically smarter and more sustainable,” Julie Sheldon, clinical assistant professor of zoo medicine at the University of Tennessee, told the Associated Press.
Photo by: Cincinnati Zoo
