A former player for the Jets recently had a peculiar situation unfold at his home in West Baltimore when two exotic cats escaped, leaving local residents surprised as the animals wandered the snowy streets.
On December 5, an African serval, recognized for its long legs and resembling a leopard, was spotted roaming around without a leash or collar. This particular serval is roughly the size of a medium dog and can weigh up to 40 pounds, sparking buzz on social media as residents shared their experiences with the creature.
The owner, Brandon Ho, 45, has a past as a safety at Rutgers and played for the New York Jets in 2005, but currently faces restrictions in Maryland.
“I suddenly noticed these leopard-like spots near my feet,” Zach Casson recounted, having encountered one of the servals while out walking his dog, Freddie. He admitted he felt a bit anxious about the elegant animal, fearing it might pose a threat to him or his dog.
“I mean, those claws looked serious,” Casson expressed, indicating he was cautious but intrigued during the encounter.
Footage later showed the servals playfully jumping on sidewalks and even stopping traffic as they climbed onto rooftops in West Baltimore.
At one point, animal control caught a glimpse of another cat in a snow-covered yard, prompting a tense rescue captured on camera.
Eventually, animal safety experts managed to leash the serval and transported it to a quarantine area at the Maryland Zoo. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as the cats roamed the neighborhood.
Ho managed to retrieve the other stray kitten, which will be sent to an animal sanctuary in Alabama, according to local officials.
This situation has drawn some concern, as Ho has been dealing with a neurogenic brain disease and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. He has been involved in legal action against the NCAA, citing health problems.
Ho has owned the servals for a few years, and his attorney mentioned they’ve been a source of comfort during his struggles.
“He genuinely cares for them and is remorseful for any distress this might have caused his neighbors,” noted attorney Greg Bernstein.
In the midst of this, it’s interesting to note that Maryland law actually prohibits the ownership of wildcats over 30 pounds, including servals and their hybrids.
