In that case I 100% blame the owner. No conscientious owner would put their pet in a situation where it can be confiscated and killed or caged for the rest of its life.
Small exotic cats can make great pets, but only if you know exactly what you’re getting into.
I think we’re agreed on that.
But there are stupid people who traffic in illegal animals, and stupid people who will buy them. I recall stories of them having been caught in airline travel with many exotic birds wrapped up in their clothing, similar stories about reptiles, and several stories of idiots even stealing animals from zoos to try and keep as pets.