Okotoks woman fined $15,000 for possession of wild cat
An Okotoks resident received a hefty fine following an investigation by Fish and Wildlife officers into the illegal import of two serval cats into Alberta.
Nikki Holmes appeared in the Calgary Provincial Court of Justice on Jan. 15, where she was fined $15,000 after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled animal under the provincial Wildlife Act.
“The investigation determined that Holmes had purchased the servals in British Columbia and Quebec and imported them into Alberta illegally with the intention of breeding them,” Alberta Fish and Wildlife said on social media.
In an emailed statement, Fish and Wildlife said officers seized one serval cat after executing a search warrant at Holmes’ residence. A second serval — believed to now be at an undisclosed location in British Columbia — was removed by Holmes before officers arrived, according to the statement.
Greg Dunn, legal counsel for Holmes, disputes fish and wildlife’s characterization of the case.
“Alberta Fish and Wildlife’s allegations on Facebook that she was importing and breeding servals in Alberta were never proven in court, and Ms. Holmes steadfastly maintains they are false,” Dunn said in an emailed statement.
Holmes “strenuously denies” allegations that she was importing and breeding servals in Alberta, her lawyer says.
“Ms. Holmes admitted in court to having the one serval cat delivered from British Columbia (where it was legally possessed) to Alberta (where the laws are different and it is not permitted), in order to care for the animal while she received medical treatment for ongoing health issues,” Dunn said.