A French couple received prison sentences for illegally keeping a black panther named Louise in their home. The incident dates back to September 2019, when Louise escaped onto a rooftop, prompting a rescue operation. Firefighters sedated the panther and recaptured her without injuries.
In court, the male owner received an 18-month sentence, while the female was given a four-month suspended sentence. The couple argued they saw Louise as a pet, but animal rights advocates compared her care to human trafficking for wild animals. The court noted the owner’s past convictions for theft and drug trafficking.
After her recapture, Louise was renamed Akira and now resides in a sanctuary in the Netherlands, where she is reportedly thriving.
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