Rooftop Panic: The Unlikely Story of Louise the Panther

In a bizarre incident from northern France, a couple has turned heads after they were discovered keeping a black panther named Louise in their apartment. This playful feline sparked alarm when she was spotted wandering across rooftops, leading to a dramatic rescue operation.

Court Ruling and Sentences

Last Thursday, the couple was given suspended jail sentences for their illegal pet ownership. The 41-year-old man received an 18-month suspended sentence and a hefty fine of $17,000, while his partner faced a four-month suspended sentence along with a two-year ban on animal possession.

The court found that keeping Louise constituted species trafficking, according to animal rights advocates who were involved in the case. Graziella Dode, a lawyer for an animal rights group, emphasized the seriousness of the offense.

Louise's Rooftop Adventure

The drama unfolded in September 2019 when little Louise managed to slip through an open window and was seen roving freely above the streets of Armentières. Authorities quickly erected a cordon, fearing for the panther's safety. Rescuers bravely entered the building where she was housed, carefully planning the recovery to avoid alarming the animal.

To ensure her capture, the fire service sedated Louise with anesthetic darts, successfully bringing her down without any injuries reported from her rooftop escapade.

A Couple’s Affection vs. Legal Consequences

In court, the owner argued that he had purchased Louise for 2,500 euros from a traveling community and had grown to see her not as a wild animal, but as his 'big, affectionate baby.' Despite these claims of fondness, legal representatives pointed out the couple's past criminal records, which included theft and previously keeping an illegal pet monkey.

From Captivity to Sanctuary

After being recaptured, Louise was relocated to Maubeuge Zoo, only to be stolen a few days later in a shocking twist. However, the panther has since found a home at the Stichting Leeuw big cat sanctuary in the Netherlands, where she has been renamed Akilla. Caretaker Wendy Karsten reports that Akilla is thriving, enjoying playful interactions with nearby panthers.

This unusual saga raises important questions about the ethics of keeping wild animals as pets and the responsibilities that come with it.