Ezekiel Elliot’s dad charged in connection with exotic cat attack

On Oct. 13, neighbors reported the serval attacked a family dog. A responding Fairfield County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed the animal.

Investigators with ODA and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the property as part of the investigation. They spoke with El-Muhammad, who claimed he was keeping the serval, but wasn’t the owner.

Investigators were able to use the animal’s microchip to trace its ownership, determining it had been sold to El-Muhammad, who does not hold the required permit to own a serval in Ohio, according to the ODA.

All of the charges are misdemeanors. A first-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.