NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Some people in Callahan have questions after a neighbor shot and killed a zebra Wednesday afternoon.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the man did not have a permit to own the animal. Nassau County deputies say he shot it after it got hurt during its escape.
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Ashley Williams’ picture of the zebra is now making its way around the internet. She recounted her initial reaction to seeing the animal.
“Oh, my God, there’s a zebra,” said Williams. “You don’t expect to see a zebra down here.”
One neighbor, who asked not be identified, tells Action News Jax he saw the zebra’s owner shoot the animal after following it onto someone’s private property.
He says deputies appeared to be driving into the neighborhood at the time of the shooting.
“The owner … basically turned in front of the zebra and shot it with a high-powered rifle,” said the neighbor.
"The reported owner of the animal did not have a valid captive wildlife license from the FWC. Zebras are classified as Class III wildlife.
"Captive Wildlife regulations and information can be found here: <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/captive-wildlife/" target="_blank"><strong>https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/captive-wildlife/</strong></a>.
"The FWC is actively investigating this incident.
"Initial information indicates that the facility is not in possession of any additional captive wildlife that would be regulated by the FWC."
Neighbors tell Action News Jax they have questions, saying the animal did not appear to be injured or limping.
“I didn’t think it was injured at all. He was just running,” said Williams.
“The zebra (looked) fine to us,” said the neighbor who asked not be identified.
Some neighbors are wondering if the situation could have been handled differently.
“There was no attempt to try…to lasso it or try to contain it," said one neighbor.
Action News Jax asked the FWC about the zebra’s condition at the time of the shooting. They tell us it remains under investigation and a final report is being prepared.
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