Kristen Forbes Cuddy heard screeching and howling coming from the hallway outside her infant’s bedroom – something that would immediately alarm anyone, never mind a parent of a newborn. When she ran out to check, she saw an animal fighting with her cat. She later found out the animal was called a Savannah cat.

The scariest part – the animal was able to get into her house through the air conditioning vents.

The cat looks like a Siamese cat, but with the fur of a cheetah. It’s taller and skinnier than the average housecat and can jump on top of a refrigerator in one bound. It is a “hybrid” animal, which is a cross between a wild species and a domesticated cat, and are actually illegal to bring into the United States – but not illegal to own as a pet in Cranston. And it’s not particularly friendly to animals – or people – that it’s not already familiar with.

Cuddy immediately called the cops after seeing what was happening, who came and picked up the cat, which they’re currently holding and working with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), according to Councilman Michael Favicchio. The new mother knew she had to take this story to the City Council, which she did at its most recent meeting.

Councilman Favicchio was actually with Cuddy’s parents right when this happened, coincidentally enough, and has now taken on the incident personally.

“I’ve been doing research on the issue myself,” Favicchio said. “I’m actually working on an ordinance concerning it, which would mirror state law, DEM regulations and basically control anything regarding wildlife or hybrid animals.”

The statute currently in place isn’t specific enough, according to the councilman, and isn’t in coordination with state regulations, which requires a DEM-issued permit to hold such an animal.

The incident at Cuddy’s house is what spurred Favicchio to start to take action, but he sees the issue as widespread if action is not taken.

“It’s a huge safety concern because the rabies vaccine doesn’t work on [hybrid animals]…When you’re talking about these types of cats, they’re first, second or third generation. They’re avid and as vicious as a wild animal. It’s a scary proposition because Kristen has an infant at home, and to have something like that get into the house is a problem.”

It will now be up to Favicchio and the council to address the issue of hybrid animals in Cranston, but it’s very possible that soon animals like Savannah cats will no longer be allowed to be domesticated in the city of Cranston.