Columbus Zoo and Aquarium presses charges against Joshua Newell, 35, after clip shows affectionate meeting with big cats

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Ohio zoo officials say they are pressing charges against a man who jumped a fence to pet cougars, then posted a video on YouTube.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said the Delaware County sheriff’s office has charged a suspect with a misdemeanor count of trespassing. Sheriff’s spokeswoman Tracy Whited said 35-year-old Joshua Newell was served on Friday with a summons to appear in court on Wednesday.

The video posted earlier this week shows an outer fence being jumped, then two cougars being petted through another fence as a voice says things such as “kitty, kitty, kitty”.

Columbus Zoo’s chief executive, Tom Stalf, said in a statement that animal welfare and safety are top priorities. He called the video “alarming”.

A telephone listed to Newell’s suburban Gahanna address rang busy on Saturday.