CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. - Czar, the cougar has been living with Sammy Johns Jr. and his partner Mary Fineberg since he was a cub. They live in Caroline County and said the reason they moved there was specifically so they could have the cougar and their two exotic monkeys. The two also recently had plans to bring in even more cats. However, the couple now has to either get rid of the animals or find a new place to live outside of the county.
Last week, the Caroline County Board of Supervisors passed an emergency ordinance that would ban keeping dangerous, wild, exotic, or vicious animals in the county.
"It makes me sad, we checked before we moved to the county to make sure that it was okay to have them," Fineberg said.
Sgt. Julie Heffler, with animal control, said they aren't singling out the couple, but said it is a safety concern. She said they do not want to take any chances if the cougar was to escape.
Heffler also said the animal control department isn't equipped to handle animals like Czar if he were to get loose.
"Look at his cafe here, if I lock that gate and lock this gate here the only way somebody could get in here is by cutting the wires," said Johns.
Neighbors told WTVR CBS 6 it doesn't make them feel safe knowing there's an exotic animal living so close, especially since there are children in the area.
"There's no threat," Johns insisted.
The couple has 45 days from the date the ordinance was passed to relocate or get the animals out. The two said they are not 100 percent sure what their plan will be, but plan on speaking with the Sheriff's Office and the Board of Supervisors.
