No laughing matter: Man cited for having a hyena

[March 12, 2009]  MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina man has been cited for having a hyena in his backyard.

The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News reported Wednesday that the year-old hyena named Bubbles has been moved to Alligator Adventure in North Myrtle Beach.

The animal's owner, 26-year-old Nicolas Petock, was cited for owning and displaying a wild or exotic animal after police went to his home last Friday and saw the beast. It had been housed in a chain link pen that had a dog house in the center.

Petock told police he brought the hyena from Texas.

A message for the man was not immediately returned Wednesday. A police spokesman didn't know whether Petock had retained an attorney.

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/

[Associated Press]

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