A tiger illegaly owned as a pet was seized by Albert Lea Police Department Tuesday night.

The police and animal control officer raided a house at 425 W. College St., and found a female tiger in the bedroom.

A city ordinance mandates a permit to possess a wild animal. The rule was set for public safety and animal welfare purposes, according to Assistant Police Chief Dwaine Winkels.

The tiger is apparently a baby, about three-feet long. The animal was placed in a temporary shelter, waiting to be transported to an appropriate animal shelter.

The tiger reportedly slept in a child’s bed in the home.