The man who police say let a bobcat out of its cage earlier this year has been banned from wildlife exhibits at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center.
At a court hearing Tuesday morning before General Session Court Judge Alex McVeagh, 21-year-old Cayden Melia was ordered to pay $387 in restitution; perform 80 hours of community service by removing invasive plants at the center; and is banned from wildlife exhibits at the center, according to court records.
The case began in June when Evi the bobcat went missing from her cage at the center, setting off a weeklong search. Center officials originally thought she had been stolen for the illegal exotic pet trade.
But Melia was identified as a suspect after an unidentified member of the public came forward to nature center personnel about Melia's potential involvement.
When confronted by police, Melia told them that Evi escaped as he tried to play fetch with her while drunk one night. He then attempted to capture her but was unable. He was issued a citation in lieu of an arrest for criminal trespassing and vandalism.
Evi eventually returned to the area and is back in the center's care.
