Published Thursday, May 26, 2016 | 2:15 p.m.
Updated Thursday, May 26, 2016 | 7:10 p.m.
A caracal cat was killed today by a fire at a southeast valley house owned by a hip-hop producer known for keeping exotic animals.
According to the Clark County Fire Department:
The fire was reported about 1:15 p.m. at a two-story house in the 4300 block of East Oquendo Road, near Mountain Vista Street and Russell Road. After putting out the blaze, which took about 20 minutes, firefighters found the caracal cat unresponsive.
The house is owned by Jamal Rashid, a prominent hip-hop producer also known as "Mally Mall," Clark County Assessor’s Office records show. He purchased the nearly 3-acre property in 2005.
Rashid is known around his neighborhood for his exotic animals and Animal Control officers reportedly were at the house in September 2014 during an FBI raid unrelated to the animals. He had active permits for the deceased animal and an exotic monkey, said Dan Kulin, a county spokesman.
According to wildcatconservation.org, caracal cats can grow up to about 40 inches long, 20 inches tall and can weigh up to about 45 pounds.
They're desert animals that can jump up to 10 feet and are mostly found in Africa, the website said.
In Clark County, commissioners and Animal Control officers are tasked with providing special-use permits to those who house exotic animals at homes. The city of Las Vegas also requires places with exotic animals to be in properly zoned areas.
In 2011, the Paradise Town Advisory Board denied Jamal a permit to keep two serval cats and a capuchin monkey.
Rashid also had expired permits for a snake and two other caracals, Kulin said. No other pets were injured.
Rashid has produced music for artists such as Snoop Dogg, Drake, 50 Cent and The Game.
No people were injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Rashid took to Twitter Thursday evening in appreciation of the rescue crews.
"I want to thank the men and women who were there to save my home today. You are true heroes."
Sun reporter Megan Messerly and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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