Romanian man rears lion in garden until neighbors complain

[April 17, 2008]  BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- Romanian media say a man was rearing a lion in his back garden until neighbors decided they had heard enough roaring and called police.

Rompres state news agency said police found a caged 3-year-old lioness, as well as two deer, a stag and two peacocks roaming the garden of the man's home in the southern village of Pietrosita.

The agency's report Wednesday said the 28-year-old man is being charged with illegal possession of wild animals and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail.

The daily Evenimentul Zilei newspaper says the lioness will be taken to the Bucharest zoo.

[Associated Press]

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