A prison break and riot at the Cereso No. 3 state prison in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, that led to the death of ten guards and seven inmates prompted authorities to carry out a major crackdown on the inmates. And their search of the grounds yielded some interesting finds, including a tattooed Sphynx cat.
Dubbed Narco Cat and even “Mexicle Cat,” the hairless feline had been tattooed by gang members affiliated with Los Mexicles, with “Hecho en Mexico,” meaning Made in Mexico, on both sides of his body. The phrase and accompanying eagle head are often worn by members of the gang.
Reports list the owner of the cat as gang leader Ernesto Alfredo Piñón, also known as “El Neto.” But now, after being sprung from the pen, this jailbird kitty has found safety and freedom with his new family in Texas.
Purring Contraband
When Cereso No 3 was searched at the end of the deadly prison riot, authorities also seized a mechanical bull, several televisions, appliances, drugs, cash, weapons, and ammunition. A tunnel was also discovered that allowed for contraband entry into the prison. But it was the gray hairless cat and his tattoos that made international headlines.
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Roughly aged between one and three years, the handsome hairless has been determined to be in good health and friendly despite his mistreatment by convicts in the prison.
“The cat is very sociable, and is in great shape, with no infections,” Cesar Rene Diaz, ecology director for the city of Juarez, told Reuters.
Time Served, Home Furever
The feline was transferred into the care of the Rescue and Adoption of Municipal Pets (RAMM) in Juarez. City officials formed a committee to review adoption applications and make the final decision on who should adopt the cat, according to a news release from the city of Juarez.
“Most of them were from people residing in Texas, Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey, United States, some of which already have an animal of this breed,” explained the news release.
The committee made the decision to place the tattooed Sphynx with an applicant from Texas. And after a special ceremony to make the adoption official, this feline jailbird is now a free kitty who’s happy in the loving arms of his new family.
And while cats shouldn’t have tattoos, the moms and dads who love them should! Check out these 27 Cat Tattoos That Will Leave You Craving More Ink!
Feature Image: REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez