Ohio zoo officials say they are pressing charges against a man who jumped a fence to pet cougars, then posted a video on YouTube.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said the Delaware County sheriff’s office has charged a suspect with a misdemeanor count of trespassing. Sheriff’s spokeswoman Tracy Whited said 35-year-old Joshua Newell was served on Friday with a summons to appear in court on Wednesday.
The video posted earlier this week shows an outer fence being jumped, then two cougars being petted through another fence as a voice says things such as “kitty, kitty, kitty”.
Columbus Zoo’s chief executive, Tom Stalf, said in a statement that animal welfare and safety are top priorities. He called the video “alarming”.
A telephone listed to Newell’s suburban Gahanna address rang busy on Saturday.
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