Two exotic cats belonging to one-time NY Jets player run wild in Baltimore neighborhood
One Baltimore resident captured an African serval clawing at second floor windows of a home in the western part of the city. WBFF
Two exotic cats on the loose in West Baltimore turned heads and sparked concern after they wandered the city streets in the snow.
The long-legged African servals, each roughly the size of a medium dog and capable of weighing up to 40 pounds, were spotted Dec. 5 without leashes or collars. Locals quickly shared their encounters with the leopard-like animals on social media.
The cats belong to Brandon Haw, 45, a former Rutgers safety who played briefly in the NFL, including a stint with the New York Jets in 2005. African servals are banned in Maryland.
“I see, all of a sudden, at my feet, what looked like leopard spots,” said Zach Cusson, who encountered one of the servals while walking his dog, Freddie. “I don’t know what this thing’s claws were looking like. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
Video captured the cats prancing along sidewalks, stopping traffic, and even climbing onto rooftops in West Baltimore. In one clip, Baltimore Animal Control workers cornered one of the servals in a snow-dusted backyard. They eventually leashed the cat and transported it to the Maryland Zoo for quarantine.
No injuries were reported. Haw regained custody of the other cat, which will be moved to an animal sanctuary in Alabama.
Haw’s attorney, Gregg Bernstein, said the cats provide important support to Haw, who suffers from a neurodegenerative brain disease and is currently suing the NCAA. “Mr. Haw has owned two sibling African serval cats for several years and cares deeply about them. He has treated the cats well and they have provided great comfort to him as he struggles with his disability,” Bernstein said.
“Mr. Haw regrets any distress experienced by his neighbors,” he added.
Haw’s lawsuit, filed in February 2024, accuses the NCAA of failing to protect players and hiding research about the risks of brain disease from collisions.
Maryland law prohibits the sale, breeding, or keeping of wildcats over 30 pounds, including servals and hybrid breeds.
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