HOUSTON — A tiger missing for nearly a week after being spotted in a Houston neighborhood has been found, authorities said Saturday night.
The 175-pound Bengal tiger, named India, was first observed in a west Houston neighborhood on May 9.
In a tweet Saturday night, the Houston Police Department said, “we are happy to report that the missing tiger seen in a Houston neighborhood last week has been found and appears to be unharmed.”
In a video tweeted by the Houston Police Department, Cmdr. Ron Borza is shown sitting next to the tiger, petting the animal and saying it has been a long week searching for it.
The 9-month-old animal was taken to the BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions facility in Houston.
India was safely handed over by Victor Cuevas’ wife, Gia, KTRK reported.
Tigers are not allowed within Houston city limits unless the handler, such as a zoo, is licensed to have exotic animals, according to The Associated Press.
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But last week, the tiger was wearing a collar as it roamed through a residential area.
Maria Torres recorded a video of the large feline and shared it with KTRK and KHOU.
Victor Hugo Cuevas, 28, who said he was not the owner of the tiger, was seen by authorities fleeing with the animal in his possession.
Cuevas was arrested Monday and was charged with felony evading arrest. Cuevas was charged in November with murder in Fort Bend County and was out on a $250,000 bond awaiting a July court date.
Cuevas released a video through his attorney of him playing with the tiger in what appears to be a dining and kitchen area of a home, CNN reported.