Police Arrest Pennsylvania Couple For Possession Of Illegal Drugs And Domestic Cat Precursors

We have all heard that domestic dogs are the descendants of wolves. When we see a teacup Yorkie sitting patiently in a bicycle basket while its human goes inside a coffee shop to get a cup of coffee for herself and a cup of whipped cream for the dog, it is easy to contemplate the plight of Hesse’s Steppenwolf, alienated from its original purpose. In contrast to dogs, domestic cats have done a remarkable job of maintaining their wild streak amid years of domesticity. If properly trained, dogs control themselves when they see unfamiliar dogs, unfamiliar humans, food, or prey animals; they go when told to go and stay when told to stay. Meanwhile, cats go where they please, unimpressed by the rewards that humans offer them, and if they see a mouse, they pounce, regardless of whether it is socially acceptable to do so. The wild ancestor of domestic cats is the African wildcat; they look similar to a domestic cat, but they are less suited to domestic life. Pennsylvania law restricts ownership of African wildcats, as it does with many wild animals. If you are facing criminal charges related to illegal possession of wild animals, contact a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer.

Is It Legal to Own African Wildcats in Pennsylvania?

It is legal to own African wildcats in Pennsylvania if you have a permit to own them. You can get a permit if you can prove that you have adequate space for them to live, where they will not endanger humans or domestic animals, and can provide proper care for them. They are not in the most restricted category of wild animals which only licensed zoos can own, but they are also not simply household pets for people with a flair for the unexpected; owning an African wildcat is not like owning a Vietnamese potbellied pig, a hedgehog, or a sugar glider.

In the News

When police executed a search warrant at a house in Lawrence Township, they were expecting to find drugs, and their expectations panned out. They found three pounds of methamphetamine, 159 grams of fentanyl, and nine grams of heroin. The value of the drugs added up to tens of thousands of dollars; the police also found more than $7,000 in cash in the house. They arrested Nicholas Rumsey, 33, and Jennifer Dixon, 27 on drug charges and endangering the welfare of a child. Although Rumsey and Dixon apparently left the drugs within reach of their children, they took greater care to protect their children from their pet African wildcats. The wildcats were living in crates in the basement. The police confiscated the wildcats and took them to an animal shelter.

Contact Gary E. Gerson About Criminal Defense Cases

A criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing criminal charges for an offense related to illegal possession of controlled substances or wild animals.  Contact the law offices of Gary E. Gerson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania about your case.

Source:

pennlive.com/crime/2025/06/police-find-meth-heroin-2-african-wildcats-during-drug-bust-at-pa-home.html