A resident on the north side of Akron, Ohio was left stunned this week after a wild cat was spotted casually walking through her backyard — and not just any cat. This wasn’t your neighbor’s tabby slipping out the back door — this was something much bigger, leaner, and potentially dangerous.
A local resident shared photos of the animal and recounted the terrifying moment it appeared:
“Man, look at this sh*t walking through my backyard. Scared the shit out of me. I’m so glad my baby wasn’t outside — would’ve tore her up. I called everywhere and nobody can come pick it up cause it’s wildlife. WTF am I supposed to do? #watchout #northakron”
What Kind of Cat Is It?
After reviewing the images and comparing key features, the animal in question appears to be an African Serval — not an ocelot as some speculated in the comments. Servals are tall, slender wild cats native to Africa, known for their golden-yellow coat with bold black spots and stripes, long legs, and large ears. They can grow up to 40 pounds and are expert hunters.
Servals are not native to North America and are considered exotic animals. Some people keep them as pets (illegally or under special licenses), but they are still wild animals at heart. That means they can be unpredictable, dangerous to small pets or children, and are absolutely not safe to approach.
What Should You Do If You See a Wild Animal Like This?
If you live in Akron and come across a wild or exotic animal, here are the steps you should take:
1. Do NOT approach the animal.
Even if it looks calm, wild cats can turn aggressive quickly.
2. Contact local authorities:
- Summit County Animal Control: (330) 643-2845
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR): (330) 644-2293
- Akron Police (non-emergency line): (330) 375-2552
- If you believe someone is keeping exotic animals without a permit, you can report it to ODNR or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
3. Document from a distance.
Photos and videos can help officials identify and locate the animal — but only if it’s safe for you to do so.
What Now?
The fact that a serval is freely roaming a residential neighborhood is alarming — not just for residents, but also for the animal itself. Servals do not belong in Ohio backyards, and if this one escaped from a private owner, they may be in violation of state exotic animal laws.
Ohio passed stricter regulations after the infamous Zanesville incident in 2011, where dozens of exotic animals escaped and had to be put down. Under Ohio’s Dangerous Wild Animal Act, owners of animals like servals must be registered, meet strict housing requirements, and carry liability insurance.
Stay Alert, Akron.
Keep your pets and kids inside if you spot anything suspicious, and let wildlife officials handle the rest. If you’ve seen this serval or know who might own it, contact authorities immediately.
Have you spotted wildlife in your neighborhood? Share your photos or stories with us.
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