FLORIDA--Suriname-born world champion boxer Tyrone Spong is facing charges over the mysterious appearance of a cougar in Parkland, a neighbourhood in Florida.
The 60-pound cat had unnerved residents when it appeared in early January. Wildlife officers subdued it with a tranquilizer and launched an investigation that would take months into how it got there. It was revealed on Thursday that the cougar belonged to Spong.
“Mr. Spong kept an extremely dangerous class one cougar, which ultimately escaped and was loose in a residential neighbourhood during daylight hours while school was not in session during New Year’s Day 2019, resulting in threats to the public safety,” a report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated.
Tyrone Spong (33), who holds the WBC and WBO Latino Heavyweight Championship titles lives on NW 80th Terrace in Parkland, next door to where the cat was spotted. He was charged with 20 wildlife violations including misdemeanours for “keeping the animal without a permit, allowing it to escape, and keeping it in too small a cage, failing to provide it with toys or other stimulation and not providing shelter.
He also faces other charges related to exotic birds found in his home, according to The Sun-Sentinel. It said that investigators found caged macaw and cockatiel birds that lacked water or clean water on his premises. Each of the charges carries a maximum penalty of a US $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
Although the cougar was underweight at the time of its capture, it has made a full recovery, according to the report. It is being housed in a licensed facility.
