Woman facing charges for holding exotic animals in home with child

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – People in Harris County who work with exotic animals are celebrating the arrest of a woman now facing theft and child endangerment charges over wild animals she illegally kept in her home.

Trisha Meyer's Facebook posts featuring pictures of herself with tigers, monkeys and other wild animals have caused a stir for months according to Gwen Scott, who owns TGR Exotic Wildlife Park in Spring.

"I kept thinking, 'Gosh, I wish someone would turn her in,'" Scott said.

Scott says she was alarmed to learn Meyer was keeping big cats in her home with children.

"Anything with teeth can bite and you don't know what sets them off and they are not pets," Scott said.

Meyer was finally busted earlier this month after being charged with theft when investigators say a California man paid her $3,000 for a Savannah cat that she never delivered.

"There's a legit market, a proper way to go about purchasing animals. Having the right paperwork, buying them from someone who is legit to begin with ... but there is a black market as well," Scott said.

Officials with Harris County, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden's Office and the United States Department of Agriculture all tell Channel 2 Meyer did not have permits or licenses to breed, sell or house the wild animals.

Scott, who regularly buys exotic animals and sells them to places such as the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, said cases such as Meyer's could make it harder on people like her.

"It could make regulations tougher for us. We follow standards and laws and this person comes and messes it up for us," Scott said.

Still, she's hopeful Meyer's arrest will lead to a larger crackdown.

Law enforcement officials in Nevada, where Meyer fled with the animals, say there is no timetable for her return to Harris County. They would not comment on the condition or whereabouts of Meyer's minor children.