Exotic animals owner accused of endangerment
She’s charged with endangering daughter after they roamed free
A Houston mother who allegedly swindled a California man out of an exotic kitten is facing felony charges after police say she endangered her 14-year-old daughter by letting pet tigers and monkeys, a cougar and fox roam freely through the family’s home.
A Houston mother who allegedly scammed a California man out of an exotic kitten is facing felony charges after police say she endangered her 14-year-old daughter by letting pet tigers and monkeys — as well as a cougar, fox and skunk — roam freely through the family’s home.
The catty chaos kicked off in August, when Trisha Meyer, 34, promised to sell an exotic Savannah kitten to a California man for $3,000, according to documents filed in Harris County court.
More than five days after the cat-loving Californian wired the first $1,500 to a bank account belonging to Meyer’s daughter Serena, the would-be kitten owner was disappointed to discover that his meowing package had still not arrived.
The Golden State man sent along the other $1,500 — to the same bank account — but af-
ter initially telling him the kitten was sick, Meyer eventually stopped answering her phone, documents allege.
About a month later, an officer with the HPD Major Offenders Animal Cruelty Squad showed up with a Texas game warden at Meyer’s door.
They were greeted by the sight of three tiger cubs and a skunk roaming through the living room, bedroom, kitchen and front door entrance — while Meyer’s 14-year-old daughter petted the exotic beasts.
‘Several monkeys’
In addition to the trio of cute cubs, Meyer had a large male tiger — and she admitted to officers that, at their ages, the animals could be dangerous, according to the court filing.
Meyer also has “several monkeys,” including some that she admitted are “vicious” and one that attacks people.
She told police she usually lets her animals — which include a cougar, fox and skunk — wander freely through the home and locks up the tigers only when she leaves.
“It should be noted that the defendant homeschools her children,” according to the court documents.
Now, the Houston mother is facing felony charges for theft and endangering a child.
Awaiting extradition
The landlord at the tiger-filled home told the Chronicle that he didn’t find out about his tenant’s exotic pets until police contacted him — and he booted her out.
“She only stayed there for three weeks before I found out,” said property owner Binh Truong.
“I don’t know how someone can put that much damage in three weeks.”
After she left her Houston home, Meyer ran off to Las Vegas with all her animals, according to a BARC spokeswoman.
Once authorities located her in Las Vegas, she fled to Pahrump in Nye County, where she was finally picked up — and her tigers confiscated — last Monday.
As of Sunday, she was still awaiting extradition back to Texas.