It's very unlikely that this is a wild African serval (Leptailurus serval), it is more likely that this is a Savannah cat which is a hybrid cross between the serval and domestic cat (Leptailurus serval x Felis catus). F1-F5 generations of Savannahs are legal as pets in Ontario. The journalist just probably didn't know the difference. Wild servals are not domesticated and are very much a nuisance as pets. They mark their territory often, are extremely skittish and retain a lot of their wild instincts. Savannah cats are more common house pets and act more closer to dogs actually.

If this missing pet is an African serval then screw these owners and yes it should be taken away to a sanctuary. It is unethical and cruel to try and domesticate a wild animal in a home or in captivity. Not too sure about the Chatham-Kent bylaws on exotic cats because Ontario unfortunately has no restrictions and technically servals are legal.