A three-year battle over a Baltimore County man?s pet Siberian lynx appeared to be drawing to an end as lawmakers adopted legislation forcing the man to find a new home for his beloved Puddy.
Members of the County Council passed a proposal targeting Dan Vitilio, 47, who owns a 15-acre ranch in Kingsville, where he exhibits about 200 permitted wild animals. The county in 2005 denied Vitilio a permit to keep the 48-pound lynx, and the ruling was upheld at several levels, most recently by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
But judges there suggested Vitilio could keep the lynx if his ranch were officially declared a zoo, which is exempt from county wild life permits.
Legislation adopted Monday night removed that exception.
“Do we allow a loophole in the law that says, if you call yourself a zoo, you can have a wild animal?” said council Chairman Kevin Kamenetz, a Pikesville Democrat.
Permit requirements for zoos passed unanimously, but at least one lawmaker said Vitilio might prevail should he pursue additional legal action. Councilman Bryan McIntire, a north county Republican, said Vitilio applied for consideration as a zoo Feb. 8, but never received a response.
McIntire suggested the county?s hearing board might have intentionally delayed a ruling until after the legislation passed.
“They didn?t say yes, they didn?t say no,” McIntire said. “Isn?t every citizenentitled to an answer?”
Vitilio?s attorney, Anne Benaroya, said she will file a request in Baltimore Circuit Court Wednesday asking to be exempt from the new law. In court, she argued Vitilio has a reinforced cage and security cameras to protect the public.
But county officials said the lynx, which can grow to 90 pounds, is a public threat. They plan to move Puddy to a sanctuary for large cats, said Nancy West, an assistant county attorney.
