Cougar-hugger: 'That was a big mistake'

westerville - A 35-year-old man from the American town of Westerville has climbed over the fences in a zoo to pet the cougars. In conversation with NBC4i, Josh Newell now says that he wishes he had never done that.

'That was a very wrong decision,' said Newell. 'If I had the opportunity to do it again I would certainly not have crossed the border. I thought I behaved like an animal lover. The cats looked like they could use some love and that is why I started petting them. '

Newell was indicted by Columbus Zoo after video footage showed how he climbed over a fence to pet the animals. In conversation with the local news channel, Newell says he is happy that he is still 'one-off'.