Camarillo Man Fined $300 for Not Caging His Leopard
William Harrison of Camarillo has been fined $300 and placed on three years’ probation on his plea of no contest to a misdemeanor charge of not keeping wild animals on his property in Santa Rosa Valley caged.
Harrison was walking a leopard on a leash in the Rancho Santa Rosa area east of Camarillo on Dec. 8 when the animal attacked 3-year-old Nisan Earnest, biting the boy on the left thigh and leg. The injuries required surgery.
Ventura County Municipal Judge Steven Hintz also told Harrison Tuesday that he may not own, control or possess any wild animals after May 2.
Harrison has a jaguar as well as a leopard. Harrison’s license to keep the animals requires that he keep them caged at all times.
The judge said he will review the case in July before determining the amount of restitution Harrison should pay the Earnest family.
The boy and his parents have filed a lawsuit asking $4 million in damages from Harrison and the Rancho Santa Rosa Homeowners Assn. The suit alleges that the homeowners group was negligent because its members allowed the leopard to be kept in the area while knowing that the animal was likely to attack humans.
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