Police were alerted to the home because of suspected possession of weapons, so were surprised to find the tiger cub instead, Libero Quotidiano reported.
Massimo Di Guida, 36, claimed he found the feline a few months ago, and kept it in a cage with the intention to sell it later.
As well as being arrested for illegal possession of an 'exotic and dangerous animal', he was also charged with drug dealing after police found around a kilogram of marijuana, which had already been divided and packaged as if ready for sale.
Di Guida was taken to prison on Tuesday evening while the tiger, reported to be in good health, is being cared for by vets from ASL, the local health agency.
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