NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The saga of Saffron the opossum continues. It has been nearly three months, and the question remains whether or not its owner, William Voiles, will ever get his pet back.
On Monday, Voiles had a court date after being issued a citation for owning a wild animal without a permit.
Where’s Saffron the opossum? That’s a question that still haunts Voiles because his pet is not in his arms.
“It’s been miserable. I don’t even want to go out to the Quarter, and some days, I don’t even want to get out of bed,” Voiles said.
Because of his depression, Voiles said he applied for an emotional support animal certificate, and psychiatrists granted him one, but now, it’s up to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to accept it.
In February, the weekend before Mardi Gras, LDWF agents confiscated Saffron in the French Quarter.
“I’m hoping they accept the emotional support animal certificate and release him back to me,” said Voiles.
But it’s been a long road for Voiles, who had a court hearing Monday for a judge to decide his guilt or innocence for owning a wild animal without a permit, something he faces fines for and pleads not guilty to.
“I don’t feel like I was breaking the law by saving him,” he said.
Voiles rescued the baby opossum after he found him on the road after the opossum’s mother had been killed.
A judge will ultimately decide next month at another court hearing on June 11 if Voiles will face fines, but at the heart of the matter, it is still unknown if he will ever get Saffron back.
“I need the state to get on my side,” he said.
Voiles has already seen plenty of support from the community with nearly 13,000 signatures on a “Save Saffron” petition and the Humane Society of Louisiana has even stepped in to help.
“I’m just continuing on with the fight and hoping it goes well,” he said.
As for Saffron’s whereabouts?
“I heard he’s with a rehab specialist and that he’s being taken care of, but they won’t tell me where he is, or give me visitation,” said Voiles.
But if you want to know where Saffron will always be? That’s his heart.
“I just want my buddy back,” he said.
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