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Welfare officials seize Bengal tiger, lynx kept as pets
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPOKANE -- A Spokane couple faces criminal charges after animal welfare officers seized a Bengal tiger and a mixed-breed lynx from muddy, flimsy cages at their home.
Prosecutors were considering filing charges of illegally keeping the cats against Thomas A. Sutherland and Kris K. Kendig, but no charges had been filed as of Wednesday morning.
Animal control officers seized the tiger and the apparent bobcat-lynx mix Tuesday after receiving a tip.
Authorities said the owners did not have permits for the animals and that they were being housed in substandard cages with dirt floors. A call to the home Wednesday morning went unanswered.
Both adult cats were taken to Cat Tales, a wildlife rescue operation northeast of Spokane. Mike Wyche, Cat Tales' general curator, said the animals showed no significant signs of neglect.
The tiger, named Charlie, was living in a 15-foot-by-15-foot chain-link kennel that was about 7 feet high, authorities said. When officials arrived Tuesday, they said the tiger had no water.
The other cat was in a 10-foot-by-10-foot kennel with a chicken-wire top. The water in its dish had frozen.
Neither cage had a second perimeter fence to prevent the animals from escaping, as called for by county ordinance.
Nancy Hill, Spokane Animal Control director, said Sutherland and Kendig could get the cats back if they obtain permits required by county law and improve the living conditions.
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPOKANE -- A Spokane couple faces criminal charges after animal welfare officers seized a Bengal tiger and a mixed-breed lynx from muddy, flimsy cages at their home.
Prosecutors were considering filing charges of illegally keeping the cats against Thomas A. Sutherland and Kris K. Kendig, but no charges had been filed as of Wednesday morning.
Animal control officers seized the tiger and the apparent bobcat-lynx mix Tuesday after receiving a tip.
Authorities said the owners did not have permits for the animals and that they were being housed in substandard cages with dirt floors. A call to the home Wednesday morning went unanswered.
Both adult cats were taken to Cat Tales, a wildlife rescue operation northeast of Spokane. Mike Wyche, Cat Tales' general curator, said the animals showed no significant signs of neglect.
The tiger, named Charlie, was living in a 15-foot-by-15-foot chain-link kennel that was about 7 feet high, authorities said. When officials arrived Tuesday, they said the tiger had no water.
The other cat was in a 10-foot-by-10-foot kennel with a chicken-wire top. The water in its dish had frozen.
Neither cage had a second perimeter fence to prevent the animals from escaping, as called for by county ordinance.
Nancy Hill, Spokane Animal Control director, said Sutherland and Kendig could get the cats back if they obtain permits required by county law and improve the living conditions.
