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The following is a partial list of attacks on humans, attacks on other animals, and escapes by exotic animals in the U.S. since 1990.
| Date | Place | Incident |
| 05/26/09 | Lisbon, OH | 10-yr-old girl is in good condition at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh after being bitten by mountain lion at home of family friends, which keep several full-sized lions and mountain lions caged up in their yard. Husband says he told her No when she asked to pet the lion, but when he turned his back, she went in. The animals' "owners" claim they've been approved by the government to house these animals and that they have all the required shots. (www.wtov9.com) |
| 03/08/09 | Winston, OR | 23-yr-old female employee of Wildlife Safari remains in serious condition at Mercy Medical Center after being attacked by black bear she was attempting to feed. She hit the bear with cattle prod and angered animal then knocked woman to ground inflicting large lacerations on her right thigh and hand. Incident is being reviewed. (The News Review) |
| 03/08/09 | Stamford, CT | Man is cited for illegal possession of endangered Siamang Gibbon. Man has history of improper care and control of both exotic and domestic animals. (Associated Press) |
| 03/06/09 | Mount Jackson, PA | 50-lb alligator is found by firefighters responding to fire at former school site. Alligator is returned to possessor and no charges are to be filed. (Vindy.com/Newswatch) |
| 02/16/09 | Stamford, CT | Travis, 15-yr-old chimpanzee, savagely attacks possessor's friend outside her home, inflicting life-threatening injuries. Possessor stabs Travis with large knife in attempt to rescue her friend. Travis attacks police officer who shoots Travis to death. (www.msnbc.com) |
| 02/04/09 | Lynwood, OK | Park workers capture 12-ft alligator belonging to local taxidermist who recently died. Alligator weighs more than 800 pounds and was living in pond in possessor's back yard. He is taken to G.W. Exotic Animal Park. (newsok.com) |
| 02/03/09 | Neponset, IL | 200-lb black bear caught on video roaming Bureau County is captured and moved to Moline zoo. Biological samples are taken for testing to determine whether bear is wild or captive-bred. (pjstar.com) |
| 02/01/09 | San Luis Obispo, CA | 2 pythons, 1 measuring 23 ft long and weighing 130 pounds, escape from enclosure at possessor's home. Police warn residents and both snakes are captured by Monday afternoon. Officer is quoted, "There is no leash law for snakes" and possessor is not cited. (chicagotribune.com) |
| 01/23/09 | Boyd, TX | Interns at International Exotic Animal Sanctuary find wooden crate containing cold and very frightened bobcat. Bobcat was sealed inside crate which had to be broken apart to free bobcat. (www.startelegram.com) |
| 01/21/09 | North Attleboro, MA | Police summoned to home to serve restraining order confiscate 2 baby alligators kept in fish tanks in basement. (thesunchronicle.com) |
| 01/20/09 | Las Vegas, NV | Parents are charged with child abuse in connection with attack by 18-ft python on 3-yr-old son. Child is bitten and squeezed to point of unconsciousness. 1 parent stabs snake to free child. Snake is subsequently euthanized due to knife wounds. (reviewjounal.com) |
| 01/18/09 | Thurmont, MD | Zoo worker is attacked and seriously injured by 1 of 2 jaguars. Worker failed to secure area. Both jaguars, Diego and Evita, are now quarantined for 30 days' observation. (gazette.net) |
| 01/17/09 | Ingram, TX | Kimra, 300-lb Bengal tiger, escapes his enclosure but is humanely tranquilized and kept by authorities until possessor improves integrity of compound. Possessor is legally licensed to keep tiger. (www.mysanantonionews.com) |
| 01/14/09 | Duluth, MN | Owner of Zoo Dynamics has federal exhibitor's license revoked due to repeatedly endangering lives of customers and of animals. (PETA Media Center) |
| 01/13/09 | Clearwater, FL | Florida game officials attempt to capture rhesus macaque monkey who is sighted in tree. (www.msnbc.com) |
| 01/08/09 | Orange County, TX | 4 exotic hybrid wolves abandoned in Orange County after Hurricane Ike are placed in special section of Austin Zoo. They join another female hybrid wolf already at zoo. (www.kfdm.com) |
| 01/01/09 | Queens, NY | Panicked owner calls police after 7-ft python escapes his enclosure in apartment. Police capture snake and turn it over to Animal Care and Control. Possessor is charged with unlawful possession of wild animal. (nydailynews.com) |
| 12/24/08 | Lone Mountain, NV | County commissioners grant 6 months to exotic pet owner to upgrade his facility to be in full compliance with county codes. Facility houses 2 African servals and other large cats. (Las Vegas Sun) |
| 12/16/08 | Gross Tete, LA | District court judge signs temporary restraining order blocking state wildlife officials from seizing 550-lb Siberian-Bengal tiger named Tony from Tiger Truck Stop. Possessor is attempting to have Iberville Parish Council amend 1993 ordinance that prevents him from getting state permit needed to keep Tony. (theadvocate.com) |
| 12/11/08 | Houston, TX | SPCA Officials rescue chimpanzee Henry from 15 years of living in deplorable conditions in private home. Henry, 23, weighs barely 60 pounds. Plans are to transfer him to sanctuary when he is strong enough. (MyFox Houston.com) |
| 12/09/08 | Albion, IN | 18-yr-old Tiger named India escapes her enclosure at Black Pine Animal Park but returns next morning. (WSBT-2) |
| 12/08/08 | Merced, CA | Narcotics Task Force find 2-ft alligator during drug bust. Alligator is turned over to Riverbank reptile rescue facility. (The Modesto Bee) |
| 12/07/08 | Hamilton Twp., NJ | Man performing as Santa Claus is bitten by large cat during photo event at local PetsMart store. Santa suffers bites to wrist and hand and will undergo series of rabies shots as possessor of cat disappeared after incident. (The Star Press.com) |
| 11/29/08 | Pocahontas County, WV | DNR issues report regarding tiger who escaped from his enclosure and was shot and killed by his possessor on the Monongahela National Forest property. (WTRF-TV) |
| 11/25/08 | Willistown Township, PA | Serval cat that escaped his possessor last month is shot and killed as he attacks flock of chickens in their coop. (Philly.com) |
| 11/18/08 | Des Moines, IA | Chilean flamingo that escaped from his enclosure at Blank Park Zoo is recovered hours later on golf course. (www.upi.com) |
| 11/17/08 | Colibran, CO | Little Creek Ranch is issued quarantine notice after state agricultural officials discover shipment of illegal feral hogs being transported to the ranch test positive for pseudorabies. (GJ Sentinel.com) |
| 11/16/08 | Luray, VA | 16-yr-old volunteer zoo guide is bitten by 5-yr-old Bengal tiger when he grabs her arm through his cage. Victim suffers severe lacerations. (Daily News Record) |
| 11/15/08 | Palm Springs North, FL | 16-yr-old girl is attacked and bitten by cougar and suffers non–life-threatening injuries. Authorities arrest 21-yr-old male friend who falsely portrays himself as cat's possessor and breaks into home taking girl with him. Police charge him with burglary. (www.cbs4.com) |
| 11/15/08 | Austin, TX | 2 baboons and 3 tortoises die in fire at roadside zoo The Snake Farm. Investigators believe faulty heat lamp caused fire. (News 8 Austin) |
| 11/15/08 | Lee County, FL | Sheriff's deputy shoots missing wolf-hybrid. Animal Control arrives to find animal shot 5 times but still alive. Animal dies in transit and case is under investigation. (www.news-press.com) |
| 11/13/08 | Lee County, FL | Wolf-hybrid escapes from Lee County Animal Control vehicle and is loose. (NBC-2 News on Line) |
| 11/07/08 | Anchorage, AK | Savannah cat that escaped his possessor for more than 6 months is reunited with her but Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game demands that she relocate cat as they are not legal in Alaska. (Anchorage Daily News) |
| 10/30/08 | Atlanta, GA | Delta Airlines ground crew member opens cargo door of jet which arrives from Portland, OR to find cheetah running loose among suitcases and other luggage. Cheetah escaped crate carrying 2 cheetahs to Atlanta Zoo. (www.gadling.com) |
| 10/29/08 | Lancaster, MA | State trooper finds 200-lb animal lying injured alongside highway. Authorities are called to euthanize what is identified as large, wild Russian boar. (boston.com) |
| 10/28/08 | Mills County, IA | Construction workers find dead 4-ft North American alligator along embankment off Highway 978. (The Opinion-Tribune) |
| 10/24/08 | Polk County, FL | Polk County rancher reports that several Patas monkeys who escaped from nearby Safari Wild in April have taken up residence on his property. Safari Wild staff continue to lay out traps to capture remaining primates. (www.tampatribune.com) |
| 10/23/08 | Las Vegas, NV | Man surrenders his license to harbor several exotic animals in response to complaints from neighbors who claim panther escaped from man's facility and attacked puppy in March 2008. (www.lasvegassun.com) |
| 10/22/08 | Broken Arrow, OK | 32-yr-old man is attacked and mortally injured while feeding liger (lion/tiger hybrid). (News.OK) |
| 10/22/08 | McKinney, TX | 200 animals die in early morning fire at local pet wholesale shop. Malfunctioning heat lamp is believed to have sparked fire. 2 3-ft alligators managed to escape their cage and are found swimming along flooded floor. Store sells exotic reptiles, hamsters, and birds. (dallasnews.com) |
| 10/22/08 | Harrisburg, PA | State Game Commission officials announce that blood samples collected at scene of alleged cougar attack prove that sample is not blood at all. No further investigation is planned. (pennlive.com) |
| 10/21/08 | Shakopee, MN | Local owners of corn maze field complaints from unhappy animal lovers about display of live, caged tiger furnished by Vogel Exotic Animals Shows of Sanborn, MN. (www.startribune.com) |
| 10/21/08 | Virginia Beach, VA | 25-yr-old woman is found dead in her home by her husband. Medical examiner's preliminary report states woman died from asphyxiation caused by neck compression. Python's cage is empty. (Daily Press.com) |
| 10/15/08 | Van Nuys, CA | Man appears in court for harboring undocumented primate. Police previously arrested man in January for shouting criminal threats in front of Van Nuys residence. 7-yr-old black and white male marmoset is discovered during arrest and investigation. (LA Unleashed) |
| 10/15/08 | Bethel, OH | Owner of golf course discovers 31-in alligator. Owner plans to keep reptile until someone claims him. (www.Cincinnati.com) |
| 10/14/08 | Bloomington, IN | 1 emaciated leopard, 2 tigers, 1 cougar and 1 lion are found living in worst conditions authorities have seen in 40 years of rescuing big cats. Animals are recovering, eating well and growing, at Center Point Big Cat Refuge. Female cougar is still receiving medical treatment for infected mouth and rotting teeth. Possessor was arrested and charged with animal cruelty in 2004 after police found sick 3-month-old black bear cub abandoned at her home. Cub was euthanized. Possessor pleaded not guilty to charge which is later dismissed. (www.HeraldTimesOnline.com) |
| 10/06/08 | Palm Beach, FL | Fluffy, 12-ft 100-lb Burmese python, is rescued by Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies and is recovering at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. Snake was hit by car. (www.PalmBeachPost.com) |
| 10/05/08 | Birmingham, AL | Tiger, declawed African serval cat, escapes his possessor and is loose. Cat is spotted about 3 miles south of possessor's home Police caution people not to try to capture him. (www.cbs42.com) |
| 10/05/08 | Palm City, FL | Simba, declawed Siberian lynx, escapes her cage and is loose. Simba is wearing red collar with crystals. (www.local 6.com) |
| 09/30/08 | Casper, WY | Game warden is called to tranquilize 90-lb male cougar who appears at front door of local resident. No injuries to human or cat. Cougar is relocated. (www.wral.com) |
| 09/23/08 | St. Louis, MO | Owners of Wesa-A-Geh-Ya Wild Animal Park in Warren County and 1 of its board members are charged with evidence-tampering for allegedly trying to cover up tiger attack on volunteer. (See entry for 08/03/08.) Portion of volunteer's leg is amputated as result of attack. (Associated Press) |
| 09/23/08 | Camas, WA | Police "taser" escaped emu. Bird survives and is back with his possessor. (www.komonews.com) |
| 09/18/08 | Agency, MO | Buchanan County sheriff's deputies discover pair of monkeys reported stolen from Kansas City man nearly 1 year ago during domestic disturbance call. Monkeys are reunited with their former possessor. (www.fortmilltimes.com) |
| 09/16/08 | Callao, MO | More than 200 animals are confiscated from cramped cages during investigation into scrap metal theft. Animals include alligators, baboon, chinchillas, and peacocks. US Dept of Agriculture and Missouri Dept of Agriculture remove animals. (Associated Press) |
| 09/08/08 | Grants Pass, OR | Oregon man playing with his toddler son in his yard captures 6-ft lizard capable of harming and injuring pets and humans. Lizard is now in care of local pet store. (Associated Press) |
| 09/07/08 | Gillette, WY | 50 animals die in of smoke inhalation in basement fire. Animals include rabbits, hedgehogs, 2 dogs, and chinchillas. 2 dogs and 3 cats survive. Home owner raises exotic animals as source of income. (www.localnews.8.com) |
| 09/05/08 | Raleigh, NC | Woman employed as biochemical engineer is flagged down by motorist after he notices snake drop from beneath her minivan. Man who observes snake fall stopps and picks him up, and takes him home to local avian and exotic animal care facility where he is treated for surface burns. (www.wlos.com) |
| 09/04/08 | Tijuana, Mexico | Police are searching for lion reported in rural eastern area of city. Police and wildlife inspectors attempt to track the animal and determine if it truly is African lion or mountain lion. (San Diego Tribune) |
| 08/30/08 | Las Vegas, NV | Family's Burmese python escapes her enclosure, coils around 13-yr-old child, and threatens her life. Father kills snake with knife. (www.kvbc.com) |
| 08/29/08 | Moraga, CA | 3-ft alligator found on local street is picked up by Contra Costa Animal Control Services. Department of Fish and Game will determine where to relocate alligator. (cbs.5.com) |
| 08/29/08 | Bolivar, MO | 6- to 7-ft boa constrictor is captured in intersection and returned to his possessor. Snake suffers minor scale damage from being struck by car. Police continue to investigate. (Bolivar Herald-Free Press) |
| 08/28/08 | Sloan, NY | Couple faces child endangerment and animal abuse charges after authorities discover filth-laden apartment and array of exotic animals including reptiles, cats, birds, fish, and rodents. 2 animals, bearded dragon and rat, are found dead. (Buffalo News) |
| 08/26/08 | Ettrick, WI | Emu that escapes from possessor's pen is captured 2 days later by police and animal control officers after wandering into resident's yard. (Gaston Gazette) |
| 08/21/08 | Railroad Flat, CA | Woman is gored and several injured by neighbor's buffalo who escapes his pasture and is in woman's yard. Woman attempts to lure buffalo out of her yard by tossing fruit but animal charges her, knocks her to ground and severely injures her legs. Police are investigating circumstances. (Recordnet.com) |
| 08/21/08 | West Palm Beach, FL | Tiger and lion escape from Florida animal sanctuary. Both are quickly recaptured. Palm Beach County Sheriff's office is investigating. No injuries occurred. (Telegraph.com.uk) |
| 08/20/08 | Loxahatchee, FL | Lion and tiger escape from McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary because cages are not secured properly. Possessor is cited for keeping animals in unsafe manner. Bengal tiger is cornered and tranquilized and lion is captured right after his escape. (Palm Beach Post) |
| 08/19/08 | Las Vegas, NV | 2 black leopards tranquilized and captured may have been responsible for attack in March on neighbor's puppy, 200 yards from leopards' compound. Police are investigating. (Reno Gazette-Journal) |
| 08/17/08 | Kalamazoo, MI | Police confiscate 2 Columbian red-tailed boa constrictors from 2 local residents. City ordinance prohibits most residents from keeping "exotic" animals, except under certain conditions. Snakes are turned over to Kalamazoo County Animal Control. (Kalamazoo Gazette) |
| 08/14/08 | Springfield Twp., MI | Neighbor complains of seeing "baboon" at large. Sheriff's deputy identifies animal as monkey, not baboon, and animal returns to his possessor. (The News-Dispatch) |
| 08/14/08 | Jasper County, GA | Reports of giant lizard begin circulating. Local man captures lizard and keeps him as "pet." (The Monticello News) |
| 08/05/08 | Cape May, NJ | Man discovers 4-ft alligator in crate alongside county road. Cape May County Park and Zoo agrees to take alligator. (Press of Atlantic City) |
| 08/04/08 | Springfield, OR | Resident steps out on his porch to grab newspaper only to find 3-l/2-ft boa constrictor dead on his lawn. Police investigating say snake has bite wounds near his head. (The Register-Guard) |
| 08/04/08 | Branson, MO | 16-yr-old coworker is attacked by 3 tigers at Predator World while attempting to take picture for visitor. Teen is in critical condition. (Joplin Globe) |
| 08/03/08 | Warrenton, MO | Volunteer is attacked by Tony, 800-lb tiger, at Wesa-A-Geh-Yah. Wife of possessor shoots but only wounds tiger. Husband shoots and kills tiger. Authorities are investigating. Injured volunteer life-flighted to hospital where he undergoes surgery for serious injuries to his lower left leg. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 07/26/08 | Anderson, IN | Canoeists find 3-ft alligator in White River. State conservation officers capture alligator and turn him over to local pet store. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 07/23/08 | Dayton, OH | Officials confiscate bear cub found tied to fence. Bear is tame and is probably someone's pet. In unrelated incident, 3-ft ball python is picked up on another street. Dayton Humane Society currently houses bear cub and Outreach for Animals is caring for snake until it can be placed with reptile rescue operation. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 07/23/08 | Omaha, NE | 117 cats, 1 raccoon, and 1 rabbit are found living in feces- and urine-covered house. Humane society workers remove animals after police catch home's owner stealing cat food. Society officials report woman previously had more than 200 cats taken from her home. Woman faces possible citations for cruelty to animals and other charges. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 07/17/08 | Las Vegas, NV | Bank patron enters Washington Mutual Bank and his pet monkey is invited inside by bank employee. Monkey runs rampant and causes stir. Possessor calls monkey by name, retrieves him, and leaves bank. No injuries reported. (Las Vegas Sun) |
| 07/16/08 | Taylor, TX | 3 caimans are spotted on opposite side of possessor's property. Authorities are able to capture 2 caimans but 1 remains missing and is spotted near another neighbor's man-made pond. (Taylor Daily Press) |
| 07/14/08 | Colorado Springs, CO | Reports of African lion at large spurs a helicopter search in El Paso County. Grainy cell phone camera photo shows what appears to be lion. (Denver News) |
| 07/12/08 | Palo Alto, CA | Animal tracker is hired by Palo Alto officials to track down mountain lion that attacked man over weekend. 50-yr-old hiker is not injured but narrowly escapes with his life as cat leaps on him from behind. (San Francisco Chronicle) |
| 07/10/08 | Middlesboro, KY | Pastor of Middlesboro church is among 10 people arrested by wildlife officers in crackdown on venomous snakes. Officers confiscate more than 100 snakes, many of them deadly, and an alligator, in undercover sting. Animals are placed with Kentucky Reptile Zoo. (Associated Press) |
| 07/10/08 | Atlanta, GA | Ozzie, serval cat, escapes from caretaker walking him near Georgia Tech and is captured. Department of Natural Resources is attempting to contact cat's possessor to verify necessary permits, etc. Cat is taken to unnamed facility pending further investigation. (AJC.com) |
| 07/10/08 | Fairfax, VA | Police find 17 exotic snakes, 12 of them venomous, inside room at motel. Motel manager investigates foul odor coming from room and police discover snakes concealed in luggage. 2 died. Investigation continues. (Washington Post) |
| 07/05/08 | Las Vegas, NV | Officials of MGM Mirage Hotel are investigating death of dolphin at hotel's aquatic habitat. Sage is 11 years old at time of death. 13 other dolphins have died at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat since attraction opened in 1990. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 07/04/08 | Richmond, VA | Pet monkey bites teenage girl in park. Health Department issues press release to gather information about monkey's general health history so proper medical treatment can be provided to patient. (www.wtvr.com) |
| 07/04/08 | Columbia, MO | Pet Japanese snow monkey bites woman visiting possessor's home. Monkey is captured and is in care of St. Louis veterinarian. Authorities attempt to identify monkey's possessor. (Columbia Tribune) |
| 07/04/08 | American alligator is found in flood water pool in resident's back yard. Authorities capture alligator and transport him to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. (Des Moines Register) | |
| 07/03/08 | Jacksonville, FL | Japanese macaque is seen on Castle Oaks Court according to state investigators who receive photos of animal. No permit is issued to anyone in area to keep captive macaque. Wildlife trap is set in attempt to capture monkey. (www.jacksonville.com) |
| 07/01/08 | Salt Lake City, UT | Wildlife officials capture 3-ft alligator after fishermen spy animal at Grandpa's Fishing Pond. Officials choose to euthanize reptile. (Salt Lake City Tribune) |
| 06/30/08 | West Covina, CA | Moe, domesticated chimp, disappears from Jungle Exotics sanctuary. Experts believe he is in San Bernardino Forest. Couple who raised Moe are viciously attacked by 2 other chimps in 2005 when they attempt to visit Moe for his birthday at sanctuary. (Associated Press) |
| 06/26/08 | New Castle, DE | Police responding to domestic dispute enter apartment and find 3 glass tanks containing dangerous snakes, including Gabon viper, Venezuelan rattlesnake, and pigmy rattlesnake. Kent County SPCA confiscates snakes and destroys them. (Delawareonline.com) |
| 06/24/08 | Key Largo, FL | 7-ft python devours 1 of several doves that come to resident's birdfeeder. Resident kills snake with tree limb. (The Reporter) |
| 06/19/08 | Hayward, WI | Several deer escape from wildlife park, then are rounded up and returned to facility without incident. (Sawyer County Record) |
| 06/19/08 | Walker, FL | Deputies arrest 2 people after finding more than 150 dead birds, along with 300 live neglected fowl, at mobile home just outside city limits. 2 peacocks are among those found alive, along with dogs, 1 donkey and 1 miniature horse. Couple is charged with animal cruelty and neglect and 3 counts of child desertion. (The Advocate) |
| 06/19/08 | Austell, GA | Several foxes are spied roaming Stoney Cove complex. While Channel 2 Reporter is covering story, grey fox walks in front of him. Residents say foxes have been roaming area for weeks. Animal control officials trap a white fox that morning. (wsbtv.com) |
| 06/17/08 | Londonderry, NH | Local woman opens her mailbox and discovers 3-ft corn snake inside. Police capture snake and take him to pet store. Pet store employees speculate snake was probably someone's pet. (Associated Press) |
| 06/13/08 | Spartanburg, VA | Spunky, Rhesus monkey running loose in yard of couple's home, is captured and brought to Spartanburg Animal Shelter. Spunky's possessors are being investigated for dumping toxic waste on roads in area. (www.wspa.com) |
| 06/13/08 | Saltville, VA | Local man accidently runs over alligator that was in middle of Highway 107. Virginia wildlife officials pick up animal and will have it examined to determine where it may have originated. (www.swvatoday.com) |
| 06/12/08 | Rockford, IL | Woman finds 4-ft Burmese python in Starbucks parking lot. Woman takes snake to nearby Petco store. (Rockford Register-Star) |
| 06/09/08 | San Diego, CA | Small Caiman is discovered on patio in housing development. County department of animal services captures caiman and turns him over to North County Animal Shelter. (NBCSandiego.com) |
| 06/08/08 | Brentwood, NY | Mother discovers California king snake coiled around her baby's leg. Snake is safely removed by animal control officers and child suffers no injuries. It is believed snake found its way into mattress recently purchased by family. (Newsday) |
| 06/07/08 | Lincoln, NE | Zoo Nebraska that lost its federal license is seeking to sell or give away its exotic animals. Zoo is closed September 2005 when 3 chimpanzees escape and have to be shot. (World Herald) |
| 06/05/08 | Queens, NY | Pet monkey nearly bites off finger of Queens toddler. Possessor is arrested and illegally-held pet monkey is to be euthanized. Attempts to reattach toddler's finger fail due to blood not circulating in severed finger. (New York Daily News) |
| 06/05/08 | Isle of Palms, SC | Wildlife officials order everyone out of water near barrier island to capture 6-ft-long American crocodile. Spokesman for Department of Natural Resources says crocodile either escaped or was released by someone illegally. (WRAL.com) |
| 05/25/08 | Nobel, OK | WildCare Foundation picks up diamondback rattlesnake that has his mouth sewn shut. Vet removes stitches and discovers snake's fangs have been removed. Foundation intends to place snake with appropriate reptile facility. (WildCare Foundation.org) |
| 05/21/08 | Neosho, MO | Sheriff deputy shoots and kills 50-lb cat after neighbor calls to say animal is clawing at her door. Authorities believe animal was someone's pet as it appeared to be in good health. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 05/16/08 | Bozeman, MT | Felony animal cruelty charges are filed against Bozeman man for abandoning primates and fish in his trailer home in January 2008. Man has previous convictions for cruelty to animals. (The Bozeman Daily Chronicle) |
| 05/09/08 | Egelston, IL | Exotic African serval cat escapes from Egelston Township Animal Sanctuary. Recently bear escaped same sanctuary but was successfully tranquilized and recaptured. (The Muskegon Chronicle) |
| 05/03/08 | Dallas, TX | Emu that escapes from possessor's pen is captured by police and animal control officers after wandering into resident's yard. (Gaston Gazette) |
| 04/24/08 | Marsing, ID | Woman in her mid-70s makes deal with authorities to relinquish 17 wolves, 5 bobcats, 60 domestic cats, and unknown number of dogs to avoid criminal charges of animal cruelty because of deplorable living conditions. Some animals are placed in facilities in other states. She is able to keep 2 bobcats and 2 wolves and will be monitored closely by authorities. (McClatchy-Tribune News) |
| 04/24/08 | Lake Placid, NY | Residents report seeing very large black leopard or similar cat near local road. It's believed that cat either escaped from local resident or was turned loose. (Lake Placid News) |
| 04/23/08 | Big Bear Lake, CA | Rocky, 700-lb grizzly bear, kills his trainer with 1 bite to his neck. Fire department officials who respond attempt to revive man but are unsuccessful. Subsequent reports state that authorities do not plan to euthanize Rocky. (Foxnews.com) |
| 04/19/08 | Tampa, FL | Troop of African monkeys escapes from Polk County wildlife facility. President of Safari Wild says it will take up to 1 week to capture them all, and that they carry no diseases and are all microchipped. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 04/11/08 | Trenton, MI | 6-yr-old girl is bitten by neighbor's "pet" Java macaque, Mikey. Mikey being walked on leash runs up to her and bites her on finger. Mikey is later euthanized by health authorities despite Born Free USA's plea to send him to its primate sanctuary. Brain sample tests indicate he did not have rabies. (ClickonDetroit.com) |
| 04/09/08 | Rochester, WA | Authorities say woman has been found living with 100s of rats and 4 malnourished snakes in home outside Rochester. Snakes confiscated include 2 malnourished boa constrictors, 1 corn snake, and 1 king snake. House's floor is covered in rat urine and feces. Woman refers to rats as her friends. (The Olympian) |
| 04/04/08 | Orlando, FL | Prada, 4-yr-old monkey, escapes from his possessor's Coconut Palms apartment. He is captured by animal control officials and turned over to Back to Nature Sanctuary, where he is held until given to Florida Fish and Wildlife. (wftv9.com) |
| 04/01/08 | Frankfort, KY | Department of Fish and Wildlife officials seize 7 rattlesnakes, gaboon viper, king cobra, iguana, 2 monitor lizards, 2 alligators, boa constrictor, and python. Possessor is not at home but at local hospital having 2 fingers amputated as result of snakebite. He faces several charges in connection with seized reptiles. (Associated Press) |
| 03/28/08 | Humboldt County, CA | Arrest warrant is issued for Cutten man facing 4 felony counts of animal cruelty in connection with more than 100 animals found in and around his home in mid-January. 35 dead animals found at his property include dog, ferret, chickens, large snakes, lizards, fish, and scorpion. (Times-Standard) |
| 03/24/08 | Denver, CO | Denver Animal Control officers confiscate 6 marmosets from home of former Florida resident, who claims she didn't know primates were illegal in Colorado. Animal control officials are attempting to relocate marmosets. (9-News) |
| 03/24/08 | Snowflake, VA | Scott county chiropractor has 60 days to place exotic animals in his zoo before going to federal prison on fraud charges. Snowflake farm is home to leopards, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and wildebeests. (Herald Courier) |
| 03/23/08 | Tampa, FL | Owner of Polk Wildlife Sanctuary closes his operation and has until September 2008 to place animals in other facilities. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission cited owner more than 40 times since 1993. Recent inspection showed that animals were living in unsafe conditions. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 03/21/08 | Elk County, KS | 2 Elk county residents have nearly 60 animals removed from their property and face 10 counts of animal cruelty charges. (WIBW-TV) |
| 03/13/08 | New Albany, IN | Capuchin monkey bites small child visiting her possessor's home. Monkey is quarantined at her possessor's home while Floyd County Health Department investigates. (WAVE.com) |
| 03/13/08 | Spokane, WA | Chico, wayward Java Macaque, is euthanized by Spokane Regional Health District despite offer to transfer him to Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary which also offers to pay for series of shots for all 3 bite victims. Results of brain test prove negative for rabies. (SpokesmanReview.com) |
| 03/12/08 | Bastrop, TX | Chimpanzee is shot and killed after escaping from his enclosure at University of Texas research center. (KVUE-TV) |
| 03/11/08 | Papillion, NE | Nebraska Humane Society raids home of suspected drug trafficker and finds more than 200 animals. Charges of animal cruelty and violating local animal ordinances are pending against suspect. (Sioux City Journal) |
| 03/10/08 | Marengo, IL | Dozens of animals including wallaby and fennec fox owned by A Zoo to You petting zoo are killed in early morning barn fire. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 02/28/08 | Phoenix, AZ | 3-yr-old boy sustains severe bite on his wrist by pet lemur. He is taken to nearby hospital for treatment. Boy's family refuses to disclose where they obtained lemur but admit they were intending to start "petting zoo." (East Valley Tribune) |
| 02/27/08 | Spokane, WA | Pet spider monkey escapes his possessor's new residence and attacks and bites 3 people. Monkey is currently under "dangerous animal" quarantine at Spokeanimal while investigation is completed. (Spokesman Review) (see follow-up on 03/13/08) |
| 02/25/08 | Dayton, OH | Dayton Police and U.S. Marshals find 2 alligators in Norvell Court house but don't find 20-yr-old man wanted on probation violation. Alligators are turned over to animal rescue operation. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 02/24/08 | Sandstone, MN | Duluth News Tribune follows up story (see 03/29/06) involving woman who possesses big cats for Hollywood movies who is killed and partially devoured by one of her severely underweight (100 pounds) tigers. USDA inspects her facility on 05/18/05 and cites her for failing to prove her animals are fed adequate diet. No follow-up is conducted before possessor was killed. (Duluth News Tribune) |
| 02/24/08 | Monticello, ME | Maine warden takes possession of a 2- to 3-yr-old American alligator living in terrarium in local resident's home. Possessor is issued a summons for keeping wildlife in captivity and importing/receiving wildlife without permit. Alligator is turned over to animal rescue facility in Winslow. (Village Soup) |
| 02/11/08 | DeKalb, AL | 3 exotic cats — mountain lion, African lion, and tiger — found in backyard of home in Winfield have been confiscated and turned over to exotic animal shelter. Humane society investigator is on call about cruelty case involving monkey when cats are discovered. (Times-Journal) |
| 02/10/08 | Findlay, OH | 4-foot iguana named Godzilla escapes from her possessor's home when someone opens front door. (The Courier) |
| 02/06/08 | Hesperia, CA | More than 200 reptiles including 2 gila monsters are discovered abandoned in freezing, filthy room attached to garage in Hesperia. Most are alive though weak. Some had died from dehydration, including 2 gila monsters. Owner of Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Phelan takes possession of the reptiles and is caring for them. (Victorville Daily Press) |
| 12/31/07 | Manitowoc, WI | 2 cougars briefly escape from their habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo and are later captured within zoo's grounds. According to authorities, chain-link fence surrounding cougars' compound was cut open. The cougars are captured near southwest section of zoo without incident. (HRTNews.com) |
| 12/31/07 | North Fort Myers, FL | Young zebra jumps out of back of moving trailer and crosses US 41, running into Heron's Glen Community before being captured by local animal control officer. Zebra suffers injuries. Workers employed by Shell Factory Zoo decline to disclose where zebra was being transported. (NBC2-News Online) |
| 12/25/07 | Dallas, TX | Young male tiger is found shot to death along Interstate 35 near Dallas. Officials receive anonymous tip and find tiger lying on road. Tiger has collar and leash and is shot five times. Tiger is taken to Dallas Zoo where necropsy shows it is in good health at time of death. State and federal officials are investigating. (WBIR.com) |
| 12/22/07 | Hollywood, CA | Actress Christina Ricci tells Parade Magazine she had to face her primate fear recently as she co-starred with monkey, Willie, in upcoming movie, Speed Racer. Monkey "freaked out" and grabbed her left breast. Her co-actors eventually help remove monkey. (Toronto Sun) |
| 12/18/07 | Zeeland, MI | Resident of Holland Township is shocked to find body of armadillo lying on road. It's suspected armadillo was someone's "pet" as creature is not native to Michigan. (Holland Sentinel) |
| 12/13/07 | Olympia, WA | Landlord at local duplex finds American alligator abandoned in small aquarium by occupants who were recently evicted. Animal Services officials are attempting to place alligator in animal refuge in Anacortes. Alligator is 2nd one taken in by Animal Services. (The Olympian) |
| 12/07/07 | Rockville, MD | Montgomery County judge overrules county animal board and orders pet monkey seized from Rockville woman in May be returned to her. Judge also orders police to reimburse thousands of dollars woman paid to zoo in Thurmond where monkey was being kept. (ABC 7 News) |
| 12/03/07 | Acton, CA | 40-yr-old caretaker at Tippi Hedren's Shambala Preserve is attacked and mauled by tiger as he cleans big cat's enclosure, leaving him in critical condition with multiple bites, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 11/15/07 (reported) | New Hampton, IA | Full-grown tiger escapes cage and attacks family's collie. Sheriff's deputy shoots and kills tiger. Dog is rushed to vet and is doing all right. Family also has 2 cougars and 1 bear. Since county has no licensing laws for exotic "pets," matter is turned over to USDA. (Associated Press) |
| 11/06/07 | Flint Twp., MI | Police raid 2 houses where thieves hide hordes of exotic animals, including Brazilian parrot and other exotic birds, rare breed of small fox, Australian wallaby, fish tank of piranhas and several wild cat breeds. Couple in their mid-20s are arrested. Several animals were returned to their rightful possessors. (The Flint Journal) |
| 11/06/07 | Columbia, MS | Local health officials may have identified possessor of "pet" monkey that bites 2 children in Columbia park, setting off statewide primate hunt (see 09/28/07). Woman is wanted for questioning regarding incident. (Associated Press) |
| 11/01/07 | Mahopac, NY | Exotic African Serval cat is removed from his possessor's filth- and feces-ridden home. Cat is spied in window by passing neighbor who later reports incident to police. Cat is extremely emaciated and eats styrofoam in attempt to survive. Cat is turned over to local SPCA and will be placed in zoo or animal sanctuary. Possessor is due in court on November 19. (The Journal News) |
| 11/01/07 | Muncie, IN | Man known to be buyer and broker of venomous snakes is arrested after departing from city bus with box of baby timber rattle snakes. State conservation officers and county police arrest him again for possession and transportation of dangerous reptiles without permit. (Indystar.com) |
| 10/29/07 | Brooklyn, NY | Woman finds 7-ft python snake in her toilet and calls authorities. Plumbers tear apart downstairs neighbor's pipes in effort to retrieve snake. Woman turns snake over to friend who keeps it as "pet." (WRAL.com) |
| 10/22/07 | Eldon, MS | Police officer turns wrangler after he is called to retrieve 3-ft-long alligator spotted running through neighborhood. Alligator is returned to her owner and owner is cited for harboring dangerous animal and ordered to find another home for her. (LakeSunLeader.com) |
| 10/18/07 | Thousand Oaks, CA | Responding to motorist's report of alligator on loose, law enforcement officer captures a 2-ft-long alligator sitting in street. Animal control officers later take alligator to their facility where CA Fish and Game will investigate and re-home alligator. (Ventura County Star) |
| 10/07/07 | Ball Ground, GA | 66-yr-old male owner of exotic animal operation is gored several times and killed by male red deer, European species that weighs about 400 pounds. Wildlife experts theorize that deer reacted aggressively because it is mating season. (Associated Press) |
| 10/06/07 | Pahrump, NV | 73-yr-old woman is dead after her wolf hybrids attack her. All 8 animals are euthanized. (KVBC-TV) |
| 09/28/07 | Columbia, MS | Rhesus macque that bites 2 children on 09/23/07 remains at large while authorities continue to search for woman with whom macque has been observed in area. (ColumbiaTribune.com) |
| 09/26/07 | Davie, FL | Employee of store that sells reptiles and snakes is bitten by western diamondback rattlesnake. Man is initially treated at local hospital with 6 vials of antivenin and will likely receive additional treatments to combat effects of bite. (Sun-Sentinel.com) |
| 09/20/07 | Surprise, AZ | Maricopa sheriff's deputies arrest pet shop owner after investigators find 33 dead animals in store. Owner tells detectives he was just lazy and never went back after running into financial difficulty before grand opening of pet shop. 160 reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and invertebrates go without food, water, or care for 3 weeks. (East Valley Tribune) |
| 09/11/07 | Winston-Salem, NC | State wildlife officials order 2 small alligators destroyed after they are captured near Graylyn Conference Center. District wildlife biologist with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says he doesn't like seeing animals destroyed, but officials looking out for greater good of state's wildlife populations. (Winston-Salem Journal) |
| 09/05/07 | Ingalls, IN | Little Man, 7-month-old African Serval cat who escaped on 08/30/07 and returned the next day, is sold by his possessor, who says Indiana Department of Natural Resources regulations are too stringent for him to meet. (The Herald Bulletin) |
| 08/31/07 | Ingalls, IN | Family captures stray African Serval cat 1 day after he escapes from his possessor. Local sheriff returns cat (named Little Man) to his possessor but is checking with Indiana Department of Natural Resources to confirm that possessor is properly licensed. (The Herald Bulletin) |
| 08/23/07 | Surprise, AZ | Sheriff's detectives enter pet store in 110-degree heat where 160 exotic reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates are without food, water, and air conditioning for three weeks. Scores of animals die. 23-yr-old pet shop owner tells investigators he ran into financial difficulty and power to store was cut off on 08/03/07. He is later charged with 126 counts of animal cruelty. (KOLD News) |
| 08/11/07 | Gainesville, FL | Couple who raise exotic birds find 4-ft ball python inside their backyard nesting cage. Next to snake is body of white-bellied Caique. Snake apparently constricted and killed bird but because of bird's size was unable to consume it. Couple contacts zoo herpetologist who helps them place snake in new home. (Gainsville.com) |
| 08/08/07 | LaGuardia Airport, NY | Officials from Centers for Disease Control take pygmy marmoset from man who successfully smuggles him from Lima, Peru under his hat and onto Spirit Airlines Flight #180 which actually lands in Fort Lauderdale, FL and then connects to another flight at LaGuardia Airport in New York. If other passengers hadn't noticed, man might have escaped detection. (Gothamist.com) |
| 08/07/07 | Minneapolis, MN | Animal control officials remove nearly 40 animals, many neglected, including exotic lizards and tortoises, birds (including duck and cockatoo), chinchillas, 5 Pomeranian dogs, and cat. Several chinchillas do not survive move and 2 dogs must be destroyed. Animals remain in care of city's animal shelter and possessor's home is condemned. (Star-Tribune.com) |
| 08/02/07 | Tupelo, MS | Missing monkey who escaped from Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo receives coverage on David Letterman Show after possessor offers lavish reward for return of "Oliver." News makes Letterman's Top Ten List. (Associated Press) |
| 08/02/07 | Clark County, WA | Animal control officers capture "Bonnie" the alligator in a pond near Bonneville Power Administration lines. Bonnie is 3rd alligator captured in Clark County in past 2 weeks. 1 was surrendered by possessor's parents and 2 appear to have been abandoned. (kgw.com) |
| 07/31/07 | Glenwood , IA | Investigators seize 42 animals from home near Glenwood. Dogs and cats were living in their own feces and urine. 20 dogs, 15 cats, and 1 lynx are taken to Nebraska Humane Society for treatment and care. Authorities continue to investigate and charges may be filed. (KETV.com) |
| 07/30/07 | Charlotte, NC | 15-month old boy is rushed to hospital after being bitten by python in popular Charlotte park. Park workers initially try to kill 3-ft ball python but eventually snake is captured and turned over to local pet shop owner who plans to help injured snake and eventually sell it. (WPXI.com) |
| 07/22/07 | Jackson, MS | Japanese snow macaque named Justin is seized by Rankin County Sheriff's authorities in April after biting IRS agent, will soon be making his way to his new home at Animal Protection Institute Primate Sanctuary in Dilley, TX. (ClarionLedger.com) |
| 07/21/07 | Ventura, CA | 25-yr-old African spurred tortoise named Bob is recovering from being slashed and stabbed after being stolen from home of autistic boy. Brutalized turtle was dumped behind brush in nearby apartment complex. Anonymous caller told family where to find him. Bob is recovering at Turtle Dreams, Montecito rehab center. 18-yr-old man is arrested and booked at Ventura County jail. (USA Today) |
| 07/20/07 | Magnolia, OH | 2 sisters who reported that someone killed their 2 bear cubs are now subject of investigation. Cruelty charges have been brought against 1 of sisters who were caring for animals at local animal sanctuary. Remaining animals are turned over to Stump Hill Farm and include "pet" lion named Brutus, goat, and 5 puppies. See also 07/17/07 entry. (AR-news) |
| 07/19/07 | Guilford County, NC | Passerby spots large cat, either bobcat or lynx, in minivan at local auto auction and calls County Animal Control because cat is exposed to severe heat being locked in van. Van's owner receives $50 citation and his sister, possessor of cat, may also be cited. Authorities are checking on legality of owning exotic cat in woman's hometown in GA. (The News & Record) |
| 07/17/07 | Magnolia, OH | 2 bear cubs are found dead and their possessors believe someone killed them. Local police chief inspects facility and says feces are everywhere; he believes cubs may have died from dehydration. Investigation continues. See related story on 07/20/07. |
| 07/17/07 | Bellingham, WA | Otis, pet squirrel monkey, is turned over to local veterinarian after his fugitive owner is arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail on 2 warrants. (Bellingham Herald) |
| 07/16/07 | Juneau, WI | Baby kangaroo in diaper is found safe over weekend, 2 hours after being reported missing from exotic animal farm. (The News & Observer.com) |
| 07/16/07 | Holly Hill, FL | 15-ft python is captured in residential neighborhood. Trapper who catches snake arranges to have him transported to Native Village, small private zoo in Hollywood, FL. (WFTV.com) |
| 07/15/07 | Oakey, CA | 3-ft alligator is taken to his new home at exotic animal education facility in Petaluma after being sighted and captured in neighbor's front yard. (Bay City News, Inc.) |
| 07/14/07 | Waxahachie, TX | 18-yr-old man is taken into custody relating to 07/05/07 shooting death of zebra on HiView Farm near Rockett. Man is charged with cruelty to animals after officers recover .30-30 rifle, shell casing, and bullet from zebra's body. (Daily Light) |
| 07/13/07 | Spokane, WA | Baby American alligator escapes from home of his possessor and is found at neighbor's house. Animal pest company retrieves alligator and he is held at Animal Control along with another alligator that belonged to same person. In Spokane it is against law to own any reptile in crocodiia family. (KXLY.com) |
| 07/04/07 | Crossville, TN | Authorities seize 3 tigers, brown bear, black leopard, African lion, and cougar from Campbell's Wildlife Canyon, on property advertised as romantic getaway. Animals are in good condition. Investigations underway at state and federal levels. (Knoxnews) |
| 06/28/07 | El Cajon, CA | Police discover alligator, 2 rattlesnakes, 21 poisonous vipers, and 2 cobras, along with several guns, at home of suspect charged with threatening man he found with his former fiancee. Snakes and alligator are turned over to San Diego Zoo. (NBC11.com) |
| 06/28/07 | Duluth, MN | 4 rare white tiger cubs die at Zoo Dynamics facility. Tiger cubs' possessor claims they did not die as result of care or zoo conditions. Cubs' bodies are sent to laboratory for examination. (Associated Press) |
| 06/26/07 | Cheney, WA | Large rodent referred to as Patagonia cavy or mara is found wandering around Cheney, near Spokane. (KXLY4news) |
| 06/24/07 | Bryn Athyn, PA | 2nd alligator is captured in Pennypack Creek and authorities warn residents that more reptiles could be lurking in waters. 2-1/2-ft alligator is smaller than 1 caught previously in same area on 06/22/07. (CBS-3) |
| 06/22/07 | Ashville, NC | Authorities are hunting 2 wolf dogs who escape their possessor and attack and kill 2 dogs. (Citizen-Times) |
| 06/20/07 | Bryn Athyn, PA | Warminster Animal Control officer nets 5-ft alligator on path next to Pennypack Creek. Officials plan to take the alligator to zoo or animal rescue center. (Bucks County Courier Times) |
| 06/20/07 | Jackson, OH | 10-ft python and Madagascar hissing cockroaches are barely alive among 25 starving and dead animals in abandoned farmhouse. Woman notices hog running loose in road near property and calls police. Authorities find dead dogs, ducks, snakes, rabbits, goats, and chickens. 1 of 2 women who lived at house is taken into custody. (Cleveland Plain Dealer) |
| 06/18/07 | St. Charles, MO | Toby, 38-yr-old "pet" primate, escapes from her possessor's home. County animal control officials ask people to be cautious if they spot her. (KTVI TV) |
| 06/17/07 | Vacaville, CA | State wildlife officials capture 4-ft alligator from area along Sacramento River. Alligator is taken to investigations lab in Rancho Cordova. (Associated Press) |
| 06/17/07 | Bristol Twp., PA | 2 separate incidents involving large snakes are reported. Officials are trying to trap 12-ft python or boa constrictor they suspect has been dining on kittens. In 1 incident, officials capture 9-1/2-ft albino python that escapes from her possessor's car. (Philly.com) |
| 06/15/07 | Winston-Salem, NC | 5-yr-old child receives minor injury at New River Zoo when escaped coatimundi nips child on knee. Animal is euthanized to test for rabies. Tests prove negative. (Winston-Salem Journal) |
| 06/13/07 | Atlanta, GA | Norton, 23-ft juvenile whale shark, is euthanized after he slowly spirals to bottom of his tank. His death marks 2nd time whale shark has died at Atlanda Aquarium. Ralph died 5 months earlier (see 01/11/07). (Atlanta Times) |
| 06/12/07 | Waterbury, VT | Vermont game wardens seize 2 primates from Eden home and charge man with illegally importing and possessing them. Primates are identified as Rhesus Macaque and Debrazza's monkey. 2 primates will be transferred to wild animal rescue organization in another state. (AP) |
| 06/05/07 | Fountaintown, IN | 6-ft "pet" kangaroo that escapes from his possessor's home in rural Indiana on 06/01/07 dies just hours after capture. Cause of death is under investigation but possessor alleges he died of tranquilizer overdose. (allheadlinenews.com) |
| 05/31/07 | Bay County, MI | Wallets, 4-1/2-ft "pet" alligator who escaped, is found by his possessor and returned to his home. (The Saginaw News) |
| 05/29/07 | Blaine, MN | Kinkajou escapes from possessor's shed and is found curled up on resident's backyard deck. County service officer easily captures kinkajou and turns it over to humane society. Possessor does not have proper permits and kinkajou will be released to sanctuary. (WCCO) |
| 05/28/07 | Rifle, CO | Possessor of camel ranch is seriously hurt when camel kicks him and then lies down on him. Man is taken to Grand River Medical Center, where his condition unknown. (Rocky Mountain News) |
| 05/27/07 | Casselberry, FL | Police say they're sure they shot 4-1/2-ft 80-lb monitor lizard seen frequently near retention pond, and are looking for lizard's body. (Associated Press, sun-sentinel.com) |
| 05/23/07 | Rockville, MD | 4-lb Capuchin monkey is seized by Animal Control authorities because monkey's guardian lacks proper licensing and permits to keep monkey. Monkey is being cared for at zoo in Thurmont, some 50 miles away. (Washington Post) |
| 05/17/07 | Chapel Hill, NC | 6-ft emu "Bill Clinton" escapes from his home and is loose for week before being recaptured outside nursing home. Animal later dies at Orange County Animal Shelter. Officials think police "tasered" emu. (Associated Press, Courant.com) |
| 05/17/07 | Queens, NY | Firefighters investigating fire in basement apartment find several exotic animals including 12-ft Burmese python and baby alligator, and assorted reptiles including frogs and turtles. Several tarantulas, black widow spiders, 2 cobra snakes, and 1 alligator die of smoke inhalation. Officials are investigating to determine identity of possessor. (The New York Sun) |
| 05/09/07 | Gulf Shores, AL | Employee of Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is bitten by black bear when he reaches through hole in cage to pet bear and animal clamps down on his arm. Man is treated and released from South Alabama Medical Center. (Press Register) |
| 05/09/07 | Wintersburg, AZ | Sheriff's deputies raid rural residence in response to reports of animal cruelty. Deputies and veterinarians remove more than 100 animals from property, many suffering from malnourishment and lack of water, shelter, and medical care. Among many animals found are exotic animals, including 13 monkeys. Child Protective Services also remove 2 children, ages 5 and 16, from residence day before. (The Arizona Republic) |
| 05/04/07 | Stafford, VA | Police are called when 3-ft American alligator is discovered lying beneath vehicle in Green Acres subdivision. Animal control officers are able to capture alligator which is later turned over to Luray Reptile Center. (The Free Lance-Star) |
| 05/03/07 | Salt Lake City, UT | Roxy-Bell, 5-lb 7-yr-old wallaby, escapes her kennel during flight change in Salt Lake City. It's theorized that vibration may have loosened buckles on side of her kennel. Airport workers catch Roxy-Bell within 5 minutes after she hops onto tarmac. (Associated Press) |
| 04/26/07 | Chanceford Township, PA | Cricket, 8-yr-old mountain lion, returns to her home after she escapes from her cage. Lion's possessor noticed lion was not in her cage and that lock had been removed when he attempted to feed her. Cricket is declawed on both her front and back paws. (York Daily Record) |
| 04/22/07 | Wewahitchka, FL | Local tv news crew is filming animals at exotic animal farm when 1,800-lb camel named Polo becomes agitated, then attacks owner, kicking her and sitting on her. She dies. Husband says he will find new home for Polo. (foxnews.com) |
| 04/21/07 | Huntington, NY | Police capture small alligator sunbathing by small pond. (abcnews.go.com) |
| 04/19/07 | Studio City, CA | Painter discovers large Monitor lizard on patio after he hears scuffling noise. He traps lizard in corner and Animal Control takes animal. (NBC6.net) |
| 04/08/07 | Otis, OR | 15–20 lb monkey escapes from his cage and runs around trying to attack people. Monkey is captured after being cornered in garage. Possessor tells police he was in process of applying for permit to keep animal. (KGW-TV) |
| 03/01/07 | Collier County, FL | "Pet" wallaby escapes his home and is found 2 weeks later in neighbor's yard. Wildlife officials are able to catch animal with tranquilizer. Owner is cited for not reporting escape and is warned for not having sufficient permits for his 8 wallabies (he only has permits for 2). (Associated Press, winknews.com) |
| 03/22/07 | Durham, SC | Durham health officials try to contact parents whose children may have been exposed to rare and potentially fatal disease, baylisascaris, at day care facility where owner keeps exotic animals. (Herald Sun) |
| 03/13/07 | Chesterfield County, VA | Dominque, 4-yr-old rhino at Metro Richmond Zoo, catches keeper with his horn as she attempts to close his stall door at night. Zookeeper requires 16 stitches to her armpit. (Times Dispatch) |
| 03/11/07 | Spring City, TN | Wildlife officers kill 5-ft alligator discovered in Watts Bar Lake. (wjla.com news) |
| 03/05/07 | Anderson, CA | Iguana almost 4 feet long is found dead on banks of Sacramento River across from Anderson River Park. (www.redding.com) |
| 02/27/07 | Hartselle, AL | 11-ft python named "Bruce" escapes from his cage while his possessor is moving. Snake is subsequently located and returned. (The Decatur Daily News) |
| 02/25/07 | Dallas, TX | Investigate hit-and-run fender-bender accident, authorities find and confiscate monkey, alligator, tarantula, and 6 piranhas from man's home. Man is cited on misdemeanor charges for illegal possession of exotic animals. (Associated Press) |
| 02/22/07 | Napavine, WA | Family must move due to foreclosure on their home and relinquish their 4 Siberian tigers to Cat Tales. (The Seattle Times) |
| 02/15/07 | West Branson, MS | 2 wolves, including pregnant female, escape from Predator World. (Columbia Tribune) |
| 02/05/07 | Center Point, IN | 70-lb cougar escapes from Exotic Feline Rescue Center after scaling 14-ft fence. (The Tribune-Star) |
| 02/09/07 | Shreveport, LA | Serval escapes from her home when door is left open. She is captured and returned to her home. (www.ktbs.com) |
| 02/08/07 | Vero Beach, FL | Large boa constrictor is found at Pointe West Development. (TCpalm.com) |
| 02/06/07 | Fontana, CA | Woman babysits 3-yr-old wallaby when animal escapes from home's backyard. 2 Animal Control officers finally corral animal. Possessor is cited for keeping wild animal without permit. (PE.com) |
| 01/31/07 | Orangeburg, SC | Officers investigating break-in at local residence find a 10-ft albino Burmese python. Animal Control Officer says malnourished and dehydrated snake should weigh approximately 100 pounds but thinks it weighs barely 30. She cares for reptiles and snakes at Palmetto Reptiles and Exotic Animals and will attempt to nurse snake back to good health. (thetandd.com) |
| 01/29/07 | Nahunta, NC | Female Japanese snow monkey that escapes her home in early December is finally caught at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. It is still unclear what will happen to monkey. (Goldsboro New-Argus) |
| 01/11/07 | Atlanta, GA | Ralph, 22-ft whale shark, dies at Georgia Aquarium. Necropsy reveals Ralph had thin, perforated stomach walls which led to peritonitis. (Atlanta Journal- Constitution) |
| 01/05/07 | Center Point, IN | Cougar scales 14-ft fence to escape his pen at western Indian preserve and remains at large. Cougar believed to still be on preserve grounds which holds nearly 200 exotic cats. (indystar.com) |
| 01/02/07 | Atlanta, GA | Gasper, 17-yr-old beluga whale at Georgia Aquarium, is euthanized after months of declining health. Gasper had been in poor health since before his arrival at aquarium in October 2005, having been on display in substandard conditions at amusement park in Mexico City. (Associated Press) |
| 12/31/06 | Bartlett, TN | Family that keeps several kangaroos, wallabies, and other exotic "pets" in backyard have come under fire from Bartlett City Judge who orders them to either find new homes or relocate their rescue operation. Family relocates to new residence and is attempting to place wallabies with USDA facility. (Bartlett Express) |
| 12/30/06 | Tarpon Springs, FL | 14-ft python bites 18-yr-old handler during daily snake show at Tarpon Springs Aquarium. Police resort to stun gun to force snake to release woman. Handler suffers puncture wounds to wrist. Aquarium owner cancels snake show indefinitely. (www.cnn.com) |
| 12/25/06 | French Settlement, FL | 8-yr-old boy is attacked by "pet" lemur at home of his father's friend. Lemur bites twice and boy and is now undergoing series of shots to prevent rabies. Owners of lemur do not have permit to have animal and are cited. (The Advocate) |
| 12/02/06 | Uhrichsville, OH | Boo-Boo, 6-yr-old bear at Patterson Wildlife Ranch, bites 4-yr-old grandson of facility owner. Boy loses finger. Bear is quarantined pending Health Department inspection. (The Times Reporter) |
| 12/01/06 | Lucas County, OH | 130-lb wolf, loose in county, is captured by County Dog Warden, who must use more than 1 tranquilizer to sedate wolf. (Toledo Blade) |
| 11/18/06 | Coral Gables, FL | 4-yr-old girl is mauled by cougar brought in by wild-animal business to entertain children at birthday party. Girl suffers severe cuts to her eyelid, cheek, and ear. Doctors sew back part of her severed ear. Cougar is killed and tested for rabies. (Winnipeg Sun) |
| 11/28/06 | Brooklyn, NY | Detectives capture what they think is baby alligator behind Spring Creek Towers. Reptile is taken to facility run by Animal Care and Control in Brooklyn. It is suspected that alligator was someone's "pet." (New York Times) |
| 11/17/06 | Spartanburg, SC | Donna, 48-yr-old Asian elephant at Hollywild Animal Park, dies suddenly. Necropsy is scheduled to determine cause of death. (www.myrtlebeachonline.com, Associated Press) |
| 11/16/06 | Greensboro, NC | U.S. Marshals and High Point police are called to motel room to serve warrant and there find fish tank with a 3-ft alligator and 3-ft caiman (crocodile-like animal). (www.newsrecord.com) |
| 11/14/06 | Gulf Breeze, FL | 2 cougars at The Zoo of Northwest Florida escape enclosure due to broken fencing. Cougars are located by helicopter equipped with heat-seeking sensors and recaptured after nearly 3 hours of freedom. No one is injured. (Pensacola News Journal) |
| 11/12/06 | Ellenburg, NY | Deer kept in pen attacks and kills his 43-yr-old possessor. Deer among half dozen deer penned up on man's property. (www.wlxtv.com) |
| 11/03/06 | Corpus Christi, TX | "Pet" baboon unlocks door of truck where owner had been him and enters building his owner had gone into. Tower II building's employees take care of baboon, named Able, and are able to track down his owner from tag on 1 dog who escaped with baboon. Other dog is loose and still missing. Baboon's owner avers this incident never happened before. (kristv.com) |
| 11/02/06 | South Florida | Landscaper is attacked by his client's kangaroo. (WRCB-TV) |
| 11/02/06 | Hillsdale County, MI | Residents report seeing large black "panther"-like cat near their homes on Chester Street. Police report getting information on sighting but cannot confirm it. (www.hillsdale.net) |
| 11/02/06 | Jordan, MT | 106-lb wolf that eluded trackers is finally shot from air. Tested for DNA samples, wolf is product of "human-manipulated breeding" in domestic, captive situation, says Montana Fish and Wildlife. Wolf is blamed for killing more than 120 sheep. If wolf's owner is identified, he will be liable for damages. (Greatfalls Tribune) |
| 11/01/06 | Gulf Breeze, FL | Zookeeper at The Zoo of Northwest Florida is injured by 2-yr-old leopard after getting too close to cage. Zookeeper is treated for deep puncture wounds and lacerations to her hands at local hospital. (Pensacola News Journal) |
| 10/28/06 | Liberty Township, OH | Man who buys Rhesus monkey over Internet from Idaho woman is bitten on hand while feeding 16-lb primate at his home. Man has option of getting rabies shots or giving up monkey to be tested, requiring euthanization as rabies test for animals is fatal. (Cincinnati Post, The Inquirer, and MiddletownJournal.com) |
| 10/25/06 | Marquette County, WI | Woman is bitten by her "pet" lemur and taken to hospital. (The Northwestern) |
| 10/16/06 | Monroe, MI | "Pet" wallaby or kangaroo escapes from his home and is subsequently found dead in neighbor's yard. (Monroe News) |
| 10/16/06 | Fleetwood, NC | Woman crosses barrier fence and puts her arm into cage to pet leopard at New River Zoo. Leopard bites her, causing severe cuts requiring surgery. Leopard is euthanized to test for rabies. Zoo subsequently closes temporarily, pending results of investigation into incident. (www.journalnow.com — online partner of Winston-Salem Journal) |
| 10/16/06 | Copley Township, OH | White tiger attacks USDA veterinarian during follow-up inspection of animals at L&L Exotic Animal Farm. Tiger grabs her right arm and pulls her toward cage. She suffers scratches, bruising, and torn clothing and is treated at Akron General Medical Center. Federal charges are currently pending against facility owner, who has been cited by USDA for 900 violations of animal care rules. (www.Ohio.com) |
| 10/13/06 | Chester, NY | "Pet" sika deer escapes from his pen by jumping over 8-ft fence and is subsequently shot by hunter. (PostStar.com) |
| 10/06/06 | Ramapo, NY | 3-1/2-ft wallaby spends 24 hours loose in countryside. Animal Control officers subsequently capture animal. (The Journal News) |
| 10/04/06 | Hesperia, CA | Tiger escapes from handler at Cinema Safari Zoo during preparations for photo shoot and attempts to attack donkey. Tiger is sedated and returned to cage. Donkey is not injured. (www.nbc4.tv) |
| 10/02/06 | South Florida | 31-yr-old man is bitten on hand by his cobra snake. (The Ledger( |
| 09/12/06 | Nickerson, KS | 5 camels and 1 zebra escape from their enclosure. 4 camels are killed after causing 2 traffic accidents. Driver is taken to hospital with minor injuries. 5th camel and zebra are captured. (Kansascity.com) |
| 09/11/06 | Balm, FL | Tiger attacks man after he enters tiger's cage. Man suffers cuts on his left shoulder and gash on his lip that requires stitches. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 09/07/06 | Grants Pass, OR | 3-ft alligator is captured after being spotted in road. (Mail Tribune) |
| 09/05/06 | Gretna, NE | 3-ft alligator is caught in drainage culvert. (Associated Press) |
| 09/05/06 | Lanesville, IN | 14-ft python crushes his owner to death. (MSNMC.com) |
| 08/29/06 | Madisonville, TN | Wolf escapes from his cage in backyard and kills 2 dogs. Wolf is shot by police officer after baring teeth. Officer said he didn't want to kill wolf but was afraid for safety of people in neighborhood. (The Monroe County Advocate) |
| 08/28/06 | Oklahoma City, OK | Police are forced to corral escaped pet kangaroo with their cars, considering kangaroos potentially "vicious animals." (Associated Press) |
| 08/25/06 | Chicago, IL | Rhesus macaque kept as "pet" escapes from its cage and bites 14-yr-old-girl severely enough that she is admitted to hospital. Monkey now resides at API Primate Sanctuary in Texas. (WBBM-TV) |
| 08/13/06 | Chippewa Falls, WI | Bobcat is killed by cougar after wandering into cougar cage when zookeeper forgets to lock door between cages at Irvine Park Zoo. (Chicago Sun-Times) |
| 08/13/06 | Bradley County, TN | 3-yr-old girl is attacked by neighbor's escaped "pet" monkey as her grandmother buckles her into car seat. Grandmother takes girl to emergency room where stitches are required to close wounds to her face. (WDEF-TV) |
| 08/11/06 | Waldport, OR | 11-yr-old girl is attacked by relative's 200-lb "pet" deer. Girl suffers cuts and bruises to her skull and jaw before her father is able to stop attack. (KOIN-TV) | 08/10/06 | Knoxville, TN | "Pet" monkey is missing after being left at campsite. (WATE.com) |
| 08/08/06 | Lyon Township, MI | Man discovers African rock python in middle of street. It is presumed snake is escaped "pet." (Home Town Life) |
| 07/31/06 | Los Angeles, CA | Paris Hilton receives treatment in hospital emergency room after she is bitten on arm by her illegal pet kinkajou, Baby Luv. (TMZ.com) |
| 07/29/06 | Wallkill, CA | Capuchin monkey named Gucci escapes from small circus at annual Orange County Fair and is spotted perched on roadside guardrail. Monkey is still at large and public is urged not to attempt to capture monkey. (www.recordonline.com — Times Herald Record) |
| 07/18/06 | Brevard, NC | Grown 3-ft caiman is found in French Broad River. Caiman is suspected to be abandoned "pet." (Citizen-Times) |
| 07/18/06 | Ballston Spa, NY | White Tiger named Calcutta slashes head of 4-yr-old boy at Saratoga County Fair as child poses for photo holding baby kangaroo at exotic animal photo exhibit presented by Ashville Game Farm. Exhibit is continued, with minor adjustments (additional barrier installed and photo bench moved farther from cage). Calcutta is 1 of 2 tigers on display in sweltering summer heat. Saratoga County Fair also routinely features performing bear show. (www.wten.com, www.timesunion.com) |
| 07/16/06 | Westmoreland County, PA | Woman is mauled to death by her "pet" wolf-hybrid. She is found in animal's pen. (Tribune-Review) |
| 07/11/06 | Hanover, OH | Woman shoots and kills 2 of her neighbor's wolves and sheriff kills 3rd after wolves escape from their pen and attack 1 of woman's 3 dogs. (Associated Press) |
| 06/29/06 | Bismarck, ND | Startled by dog, wallaroo escaped from his pen and is loose. (The Bismarck Tribune) |
| 06/16/06 | East Palo Alto, CA | Marmoset on loose is captured by Animal Control. (Mercury News) |
| 06/15/06 | Dallas, TX | Bengal tiger escapes from enclosure due to electrical outage, and mauls landscape worker at Zoo Dynamics exotic animal facility. Man's wounds require more than 2,000 stitches. (www.cbs11tv.com) [Owner of Zoo Dynamics has previously been charged with multiple animal care and handling violations by USDA, as well as being charged in civil suit for alleged violations under his facility's previous name, ZooCats, Inc. Animals from Zoo Dynamics have also been involved in previous injury incidents (see 02/06/05). (www.terrelltribune.com)] |
| 06/15/06 | St. Louis, MO | Crocodile monitor escapes from his cage and roams streets. (STLtoday.com) |
| 06/13/06 | Sedgwick County, KS | Alligator is spotted loose in neighborhood. (KBSD) |
| 06/09/06 | Homestead, FL | 5-ft caiman is found in backyard playground. (nbc6.net) |
| 06/07/06 | Carroll County, MD | 6-ft kangaroo named Buddy escapes from Carroll County Petting Zoo when storms winds blow his cage door open. He is spotted by motorist about 1 mile away in cow pasture and is caught by net. (www.nbc4.com) |
| 06/07/06 | Solon, IA | 4-ft South American caiman is fatally shot by resident who stumbles upon alligator-like animal after it escapes from Witty Kitties animal shelter. (The Iowa City Press Citizen) |
| 06/06/06 | Sunman, IN | Wallaby is captured by Animal Control offered after construction workers spot him. (WCPO) |
| 06/06/06 | Sikeston, MO | Boy is attacked by "pet" vervet monkey living in neighborhood. (Standard Democrat) |
| 06/05/06 | Park City, UT | Wallaroo is loose for more than month after escaping from his enclosure. He is subsequently captured and returned. (Deseret News) |
| 06/05/06 | Ludington, MI | Animal Control officers find alligator in park and capture him. Officers locate "owner" who states he could no longer afford to keep animal so he let alligator go. (WZZM13) |
| 05/29/06 | Cumberland County, NC | 2 servals escape or are released from their enclosures. 1 is found. (www.fayettevillenc.com) |
| 05/26/06 | Ashtabula County, OH | 500-lb bear escapes from his pen, breaks into woman's house, and mauls her. Woman is hospitalized with bruised lung, broken rib, and lacerations. (Star Beacon) |
| 05/24/06 | Danbury, WI | Animal Control officers seize 19 wolf-dog hybrids after they are found unattended, chained to trees, with no food and shelter. (KSTP) |
| 05/18/06 | Copley, OH | Bear cub is killed in fire at exotic animal farm. Officials say there were at least 3 bears, 1 lion, and another wild cat in cages behind exotic animal farm. (NewsNet5.com) |
| 05/04/06 (reported) |
White Hills, AZ | 2 tigers at Keepers of the Wild animal sanctuary attack woman; she requires surgery. Owner of sanctuary apparently does not report incident, but USDA finds out and opens investigation into attack. (KLASTV.com) |
| 04/30/06 | Colts Neck, NJ | Wild cat is spotted roaming neighborhood near school. It is suspected animal is mountain lion or other large cat. (Asbury Park Press) |
| 04/11/06 | Labelle, FL | Owner of nature preserve is bitten by 8-ft alligator and dragged 15 feet into water after he tries stunt of jumping on alligator's back for ride and wrestling alligator. Man suffers shattered pinky, broken ring finger, and puncture wounds to his hand. Despite incident, he states he is unlikely to give up alligator wrestling. (Associated Press) |
| 04/07/06 | Kissimmee, FL | 7 children and 1 adult are injured when horse at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament tramples group of students during field trip. 4 children are taken to hospital. (Internet Broadcasting Systems, Local6.com) |
| 04/06/06 | Naples, FL | Man crashes his car after his snake wraps around his neck and begins attacking him. (Associated Press) |
| 03/29/06 | Duxbury, MN | 500-lb Bengal tiger attacks and kills 52-yr-old woman on her property where she keeps many other tigers. Man hired to do controlled burn on property finds her mauled body in one of several tiger pens. Tiger is so out of control investigators must euthanize feline to reach woman's body. (wcco.com) |
| 03/25/06 | Cullman County, AL | Big cat, suspected to be tiger, is spotted roaming in local community. (The Birmingham News) |
| 03/22/06 | Durham, SC | Durham health officials are trying to contact parents whose children may have been exposed to rare and potentially fatal disease at day care facility whose owner keeps exotic animals. County Health Director Biran Letourneau says children may have been exposed to bayliasascaris, also known as raccoon roundworm. |
| 03/19/06 (reported) |
Santa Barbara County, CA | State of California orders Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch to be shut down and now Jackson is selling off his exotic animals, including elephants, tigers, orangutans, crocodile, and giraffes, for as little as one-quarter of their true value. A later report (04/26/06) states that Jackson has quietly employed staff to care for his animals, which remain in his Neverland zoo. (The Daily Record [Scotland]) |
| 03/08/06 | Gainesville, FL | Trucker transporting tiger to Putnam County Fair is bitten and suffers severed tendons in his forearm after sticking his arm in tiger's cage. (Associated Press) |
| 03/05/06 | Bell County, TX | Rhesus monkey bites person. Monkey is euthanized. (KCEN-TV) |
| 03/01/06 | Marborough, MA | 2 zoo workers suffer injuries while handling elephant for rides at RW Commerfords Kids Fun Fair and Traveling Zoo. Trainer receives chest injury when elephant pins him against wall and another employee placing children on elephant for rides receives broken arm. Both are transported to hospital by ambulance. (Metro West Daily News) |
| 03/01/06 | Warrenton, MO | Sandra and Kenneth Smith, owners of Wesa-A-Geh-Ya animal facility, settle with USDA after being charged with violations of Animal Welfare Act. Smiths agree to civil penalty of $13,000 and revoking of their AWA license. Although Smiths no longer have USDA exhibitor's license or AWA license, no law prevents them from keeping their animals under little supervision from any state or federal agency. (Warrenton Journal) |
| 02/23/06 | Alva, FL | Man is hospitalized after being attacked by his neighbor's wallaroo. Animal escapes from his pen after digging hole under fence of his enclosure and attacks man before he is shot. (The News Press) |
| 02/10/06 | Richmond, VA | Maymont's only 2 black bears are euthanized after 1 bites Richmond toddler. Bears are euthanized to be tested for rabies. Memorial service for bears is attended by 500 mourners. City is still investigating actions of child's mother. (Associated Press) |
| 02/09/06 | Craig, CO | 56-yr-old man is killed by captive elk while he attempts to feed animal. (The Craig Daily Press) |
| 02/05/06 | Temperance, MI | More than 4 dozen exotic and native animals perish overnight in barn fire at Nature's Creek Petting Zoo. Firefighters are unable to enter structure to rescue any animals. Cause of fire is under investigation, but appears to be accident. (The Blade, toledoblade.com) |
| 02/02/06 | Moorpark, CA | Feznick, 4-yr-old kangaroo, undergoes plastic surgery to repair his lip due to injuries from wolf bite received at Kern County farm for Hollywood animals last year. Feznick appears at corporate events and has been featured in movie for which he walked red carpet at opening. Plastic surgeon performs lip surgery free of charge and it is first time he has ever worked on any animal. (The Sacramento Bee) |
| 02/01/06 | Willmar, MN | Cougar is captured roaming neighborhood very close to elementary school. (WCCO-TV) |
| 01/25/06 | Flora, IL | 80-yr-old worker at Spotted Acres farm and petting zoo is mauled by black bear. Closed to public for several years, farm's animals include bears, camels, and ostriches. Called in because black bear escaped its cage, part-time worker steps out of his truck holding bag of dog food, and bear goes after dog food with tragic results. Clay County deputies shoot bear to halt attack and man dies soon after in nearby hospital. Deputies kill another bear "at owner's request" for unstated reasons. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 01/01/06 | Princeton, IA | Elderly couple is attacked by deer they had been illegally raising as "pet." Both are hospitalized and eight-point buck is shot and killed by sheriff's department. (Quad City Times) |
| 12/31/05 | Colleyville, TX | Jake, 1-yr-old kangaroo, escapes out open back gate at Colby's Xtreme Pets and travels half-mile down Texas highway 26. Startled passerby calls 911. (Star-Telegram) |
| 12/25/05 | St. Louis, MO | Man is bitten by his cobra as he tries to feed animal. (STLtoday.com) |
| 12/21/05 | Tulsa, OK | Bobcat hybrid bites child at shopping mall after "owner" takes animal to use restroom. (Newsok.com) |
| 12/11/05 | Chanute, KS | "Pet" bear escapes from his cage and attacks sheriff's deputy's patrol car. Sheriff deputy has gone to house where bear is located, discovers bear is not in his cage. Deputy runs back to his patrol car, where bear follows him and climbs up on driver's side. Bear is captured. This is not first escape for this bear. (www.leadingthecharge.com) |
| 12/07/05 | Los Angeles, CA | Paris Hilton takes her "pet" kinkajou, Baby Luv, shopping with her and is attacked as animal claws at her face. Paris is notified it is illegal to have exotic "pets" in California and Baby Luv is relocated outside state. (Fox News) |
| 12/01/05 | Foley, AL | 2-yr-old healthy Bengal tiger at Kids Country Zoo is euthanized and stuffed and mounted for display at zoo. Several individuals offer to take tiger rather than see it put down, including Tiger Haven in Tennessee, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and facility in Texas, but zoo's owner says tiger is dangerous and opts to administer lethal injection of medication instead. Baldwin County District Attorney has launched investigation. (Mobile Register) |
| 11/26/05 | Covington, KY | "Pet" monkey escapes from his home and is loose for several days until recapture. (Cincinnati Post) |
| 11/16/05 | Greensboro, NC | Serval escapes for 2nd time from his home (see 10/09/05 incident). Serval is in basement of house when he pushes through panel and escapes. (Yes! Weekly) |
| 11/15/05 | Greenwich, NY | Tahan, 7-yr-old tiger at Ashville Game Farm and Exotic Zoo, escapes through top of her pen after pushing free section of chain fence that is nailed across top of cage. Tahan is found in yard of home, tranquilized, and returned to zoo. Tahan formerly performed with Florida-based circus. (The Post Star) |
| 11/14/05 | Stuart, FL | Fisherman catches 11-ft Burmese python. Snake is suspected of being abandoned "pet." (UPI) |
| 11/11/05 | Phoenix, AZ | Family is attacked by neighbors' "pet" monkey in their front yard. Monkey escapes from his home and bites 2 children. (CNN Daybreak) |
| 10/24/05 | Pontotoc, MS | Kinkajou escapes and attacks 82-yr-old woman. Woman is sweeping her porch when kinkajou jumps on her and wraps his tail around her arm. Woman receives 20 stitches after being attacked and repeatedly bitten by animal. Woman's son captures kinkajou and is also bitten. (Sun Herald) |
| 10/15/05 | Ottumwa, IA | 8-ft snake is found wrapped around car engine. It is suspected snake is abandoned "pet." (The Ottumwa Courier) |
| 10/11/05 | Piscataway, NJ | Woman finds alligator in her backyard. Alligator is abandoned "pet." (Home News Tribune) |
| 10/10/05 | Miami-Dade, FL | Python devours turkey then gets stuck in fence. Snake is abandoned "pet." (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 10/09/05 | Greensboro, NC | Serval escapes from his home. (News-Record) |
| 10/08/05 | Miami-Dade, FL | 10-to-12-ft python devours 18-lb Siamese cat. Snake is abandoned "pet." (Sun Sentinel) |
| 09/29/05 | Queens, NY | Auto body shop mechanic finds 2 baby alligators abandoned in tank dumped in back of car. (Newsday) |
| 09/28/05 | Lewis County, WA | 5-yr-old boy is attacked by tiger cub while cub is outside cage. (King 5 News) |
| 09/21/05 | Mount Dora, FL | 2 zebras escape from their pens and wander on state road. Zebras are injured after truck slams into them. (www.wftv.com) |
| 09/16/05 | Clark County, OH | Kangaroo is spotted on loose. (Springfield News-Sun) |
| 09/14/05 | Wilmington, DE | 8-ft Argentina boa and 3 4–6-ft boas are found abandoned at apartment. (News Journal) |
| 09/11/05 | Boone County, MS | Wallaby is found dead after being hit by car on rural road. Wallaby has been loose since April. (Columbia Tribune) |
| 09/10/05 | Bridgeport, TX | 4-month-old tiger is found wandering in and out of traffic near interstate exit. Cub escaped from back of possessor's pick-up truck. (Texarkana Gazette) |
| 09/06/05 | Royal, NE | Director of unaccredited Nebraska Zoo shoots and kills 3 chimpanzees when they escape from their pens. Chimpanzees escape when keeper leaves padlock unlocked after routine cleaning. Remaining chimpanzee is sent to private breeding operation near Kansas City. (Associated Press) |
| 08/27/05 | Brackenridge, PA | 2-ft alligator, Crocus, escapes from his backyard enclosure and is captured by girl. (Associated Press) |
| 08/25/05 | San Antonio, TX | Jackson, baby monkey at Primarily Primates, is captured after he escapes his enclosure through hole in chain link fence. Walter Swett, facility owner, says Southwest Foundation has trained him in how to capture animals for Biomedical Research. (San Antonio News 4 WOAI) |
| 08/19/05 | Mt. Pleasant Township, PA | Woman suffers sprained wrist and possibly torn ligaments when Asian elephant on exhibit at Westmoreland Fair grabs her wrist with her trunk after woman reaches to pet 8,200-lb pachyderm. Jewel is 1 of 2 elephants owned by Cole Bros. Circus and leased to Wambold's Circus Menagerie, Florida-based act that travels country with several exotic animals. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, News-Journal Corporation) |
| 08/18/05 | Leominster, MA | Police officer is attacked by "pet" squirrel as he arrests squirrel's possessor. (www.local6.com) |
| 08/17/05 | Altamont, KS | 17-yr-old girl is attacked and killed by Siberian tiger during photo-op for her high school senior portrait. 7-yr-old tiger was being restrained by trainer Doug Billingsly, owner of Lost Creek Animal Sanctuary and Animal Entertainment Productions, where attack occurred. (Associated Press) |
| 08/12/05 | Bovey, MN | 1,400-lb male buffalo attacks and kills his caregiver at Zerebko Zoo-Tran Farm, exotic animal farm that raises and exhibits exotic animals. Woman was watching farm while owners were away on county fair tour. (Star Tribune) |
| 08/11/05 | Beeville, TX | Woman turns her "pet" mangabey monkey over to wildlife sanctuary after he bites her. (www.kristv.com) |
| 08/10/05 | Harbor City, CA | 5-ft alligator is found in Machado Lake. Alligator is abandoned "pet." Person who abandoned animal is charged with illegal possession and release of animal. (http://abclocal.go.com, Los Angeles Times) |
| 08/05/05 | White River, IN | 4-1/2-ft alligator is found in pond near residential area. It is suspected alligator is abandoned "pet." (Indianapolis Star) |
| 08/01/05 | Ann Arbor, MI | 42-inch alligator is found abandoned by veterinary hospital. It is suspected alligator is abandoned "pet." (Ann Arbor News) |
| 07/18/05 | Elgin, IL | Monkey on loose is sighted by several people and reported to police and animal control. (www.nbc5.com) |
| 07/11/05 | Steuben County, NY | Alligator is found in western New York Creek bed. 20-lb, 4-ft alligator has been placed in new location. (NBC/WHEC TV-10) |
| 06/27/05 | Noble County, OH | 3-ft monkey, Buddy, escapes from his home, jumps into pick-up truck and bites 20-yr-old man on leg before fleeing. (www.nbc4i.com) |
| 06/26/05 | South Bend, IN | Kangaroo is spotted loose in South Bend neighborhood. (South Bend Tribune) |
| 06/24/05 | Moorehead, KY | Monkey leaps out of driver's window as his possessor picks up order at fast food drive-through window. Monkey, Boo Boo, hangs onto clerk's hand and bites and injures restaurant worker. (http://abclocal.go.com) |
| 06/22/05 | Mandeville, FL | 12-ft python escapes from mobile home. (The Advocate) |
| 06/21/05 | Little Falls, MN | 10-yr-old boy is attacked by tiger then lion while he and his dad visit their friend. Tiger and lion are being kept at auto part store along with 9 other large cats. Boy suffers brain injury and severed spinal cord which leaves child quadriplegic and dependent on respirator. (Associated Press, Brainer Dispatch) |
| 06/16/05 | Calais, ME | 2 wolf-hybrids attack neighbor's dog. Same wolf-hybrids involved 06/02 incident. (Bangor Daily News) |
| 06/16/05 | Alton, MO | 2 "pet" snow monkeys escape from their home and are later captured. Both animals test positive for Herpes B virus and are euthanized. (St. Louis Dispatch) |
| 06/11/05 | Medford, OR | After 3 days on loose, Usal, 3-1/2-ft alligator, is found and returned to his possessor. (Seattle Times) |
| 06/11/05 | Underwood, MN | Lion is killed by Otter Tail County sheriff after escaping from his cage at Archangel Wildlife Farm. (Associated Press) |
| 06/06/05 | Allen County, OH | Man is attacked by his "pet" 3-yr-old, 160-lb mountain lion. Man grabs mountain lion's tail to prevent animal from attacking his mother and is subsequently bitten. (Lima News) |
| 06/05/05 | Desert Hot Springs, CA | 1-yr-old alligator is found wandering streets. (www.kesq.com) |
| 06/03/05 | Johnson City, TN | "Pet" bobcat is captured after animal escapes from his enclosure. (www.tricities.com) |
| 05/14/05 | Montville, NJ | Zebra and horse with traveling animal act as part of Green Meadows Cultural Events show jump fence of their corrals. Horse is found short distance away, but zebra roams for 2 miles before being located in residential area. (Associated Press) |
| 05/07/05 | Kennewick, WA | Cougar is found atop car parked in auto repair shop. It is believed that cougar has been hiding undetected in crawl space for up to 6 days. Fish and Wildlife believes that cougar is someone's "pet." (Herald) |
| 04/09/05 | Huntington, WV | 13-yr-old girl suffers injuries after Capuchin monkey bites her kneecap and finger. (Herald Dispatch) |
| 04/09/05 | St. Joseph, MO | Young girl is bitten by 5-ft python during educational presentation at "Experience Western" on Missouri Western State College campus. Display also includes alligator, chameleon, tarantula, and turtle. Girl is treated at hospital and released. (KQTV St. Joseph) |
| 03/20/05 | Thackery, IL | 4-yr-old girl is recovering from injuries she sustains when she is bitten by cougar. Girl reaches into pen that houses "pet" cougar and animal bites girl's hand and arm. (Courier Press) |
| 03/17/05 | Reading, PA | Serval cat escapes from her home and is recaptured some 5 hours later. (Reading Eagle) |
| 03/17/05 | Campe Verde, AZ | 2 North American wolves attack their animal handler inside exhibit at Out of Africa Wildlife Park. Woman is airlifted to hospital after she suffers major injuries to her arms and legs, requiring surgery. (The Arizona Republic) |
| 03/15/05 | Orlando, FL | Man is arrested while traveling in Florida and faces charges for having tiger cub and cougar cub without required permits. Cubs are staying at McCarthy Wildlife Sanctuary in Florida and won't be released unless man secures necessary permits. Man is co-owner of Arcangel Wildlife in Underwood, MN, which is under investigation after girl is hurt by tiger earlier this month. See 03/03/05 incident. (The Forum) |
| 03/06/05 | Sterling Heights, MI | Big cat is spotted on loose. (Yahoo News) |
| 03/03/05 | Underwood, MN | 16-yr-old girl babysitting for co-owner of Arcangel Wildlife is injured when she pets 1 of 10 tigers on property. Tiger causes lacerations to her hand requiring about 12 stitches. Later that night, serious infection sets in and she needs 3 successive operations to her hand. (The Forum) |
| 02/28/05 | Caliente, CA | 4 chimpanzees escaped from their cages and attack man and woman visiting another chimpanzee at Animal Haven Ranch. Man is severely mauled, requiring extensive surgery, and woman loses finger. Animal Haven employee fatally shoots 2 chimpanzees to stop attack and other 2 chimps remain loose for several hours before being captured. (Associated Press, The Bakersfield Californian) |
| 02/26/05 | Medina, WA | Several sightings reported of large reptiles in Lake Washington. (Seattle Times) |
| 02/17/05 | Wellington, FL | 500-lb Bengal tiger escapes from Panther Ridge Sanctuary after his caretaker neglects to latch his cage. 4-yr-old tiger is loose for 2 hours before being tranquilized and returned to his cage. His owner is cited for 2nd-degree misdemeanor, escaped captive wildlife. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) |
| 02/15/05 | Englewood, FL | 13-ft python is found in busy street in Englewood. (Sun Herald) |
| 02/12/05 | Pemberville, OH | Big cat is spotted on loose in Pemberville area. (www.wtol.com) |
| 02/06/05 | Tampa Bay, FL | Tiger cub bites woman's hand during exhibit at Tampa Bay Auto Mall. 2 adult tigers and 2 cubs are on display so people can have their photographs taken with tigers. Tigers are supplied by Bottomline Events, in conjunction with Zoo Dynamics, which provides animals to zoos and exhibits. Their caretaker is charged with unsafe handling of captive wildlife, resulting in injury to person. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 02/03/05 | Bucyrus, OH | Man is rushed to hospital after being bitten by his rhinoceros viper snake, 1 of world's deadliest snakes. He receives antivenin and survives attack. (Channelcincinnati.com, nc4i.com) |
| 02/02/05 | Los Angeles, CA | Serval escapes from his home and is spotted roaming neighborhood. (abclocal.go.com) |
| 02/01/05 | Glen Burnie, MD | Capuchin monkey is stolen from home. Animal is subsequently found and couple who stole her are charged with 1st degree burglary, 4th-degree burglary, and theft (www.hometownannapolis.com, Baltimore Sun) |
| 01/31/05 | Winfield, IN | Wild feline is spotted on the loose. (Post Tribune) |
| 01/22/05 | Vero Beach, FL | Serval is found dragging his left leg through underbrush around sports complex. Serval has to be euthanized after it is discovered animal has broken back. (www.tcpalm.com) |
| 01/20/05 | Bronx, NY | Rattlesnake bites 38-yr-old man on his hand while he moves snake from 1 tank to another. It is illegal to keep venomous snakes within city limits. (New York Daily News) |
| 01/20/05 | Baraboo, WI | Lion cub at Creature Features Pet Store bites 8-yr-old girl visiting store. Baraboo police order pet store owner to quarantine cub for at least 10 days. (www.wiscnews.com) |
| 01/11/05 | Fenton, MI | Woman is treated for potentially serious hand wound after being bitten by her friend's rattlesnake. (The Flint Journal) |
| 01/08/05 | Rockland, DE | There have been several sightings of cougar loose. It is suspected that there could be 2 loose and that they could be escaped or dumped "pets." (wwe.cgi.delawareonline.com) |
| 01/08/05 | Cleveland and Gaston County, NC | 2 tiger cubs are found wandering along highway on Gaston and Cleveland County border. Both tigers are captured, discovered to be female and apparently from same litter. Tigers will be placed at Carnivore Preservation Trust. (Shelby Star) |
| 01/07/05 | Eureka Springs, AR | Man releases his "pet" tiger near town of Erbie along Buffalo River. Tiger finds his way back home, trekking some 60 miles of wilderness. Man subsequently delivers tiger to wildlife sanctuary. (The Arkansas Democrat) |
| 01/06/05 | Madison, WI | Kangaroo is found 50 miles west of Madison. Kangaroo is subsequently captured. (www.madison.com) |
| 02/07/04 | Dunlap, IN | Man and his dog are attacked by wolf-hybrid while going for walk in local neighborhood. Dog does not survive attack. (South Bend Tribune) |
| 12/05/04 | Eagle, WI | Man is bitten by his cobra while trying to feed him. Man is given antivenin and survives. (www.gmtoday.com) |
| 11/20/04 | North Liberty, IN | Man is killed when his gnu (AKA wildebeest) attacks and tramples him. (South Bend Tribune) |
| 11/19/04 | St. Augustine, FL | 350-lb Siberian tiger, being walked on leash, attacks and injures 14-yr-old boy at St. John's County Fair. Tiger's handler is also attacked and injured when he attempts to pull tiger off boy. Incident is brought under control only after 2 police officers fire Taser stun guns at tiger. Handler is owner of Catty Shack Ranch where tiger resides. (Associated Press) |
| 11/17/04 | Glen Burnie, MD | Capuchin monkey is stolen from her home. Animal is subsequently found and couple who stole her are charged with 1st degree burglary, 4th-degree burglary, and theft (www.hometownannapolis.com, Baltimore Sun) |
| 11/15/04 | New Haven, CT | 15-ft python escapes from his enclosure. Possessors also had 2 crocodiles and Argentinean boa constrictor which were confiscated because in Connecticut it is illegal to possess them. (www.wtnh.com) |
| 11/13/04 | Bristow, OK | African serval escapes from cage at Wilderness Safari and is shot and killed by hunter. Hunter notifies operator of wild animal park of killing and says he skinned cat and put hide in his freezer. (Tulsa World) |
| 11/13/04 | Gentry, AR | Bengal tiger pulls flesh off right middle finger of woman visiting Wild Wilderness Drive Thru Safari after she reportedly places her hand in tiger's cage. See 01/17/02 entry for another incident involving Wild Wilderness Drive Thru Safari. (NWAnews.com) |
| 11/12/04 | Port St. Lucie, FL | Vanilla Ice's "pet" wallaroo escapes from backyard and is loose. Animal is later found and returned. (Palm Beach Post) |
| 11/09/04 | Palm Springs, CA | Chimpanzee runs through residential neighborhood after escaping from Casa de Cheeta sanctuary for rehabilitation of show business primates. 16-yr-old chimpanzee knocks on residence doors and windows after owner of sanctuary forgets to latch chimpanzee's security door. 2nd security door is installed to prevent any further incidents. (The Desert Sun) |
| 11/06/04 | Chambersburg, PA | Man pleads guilty to several charges of unlawful possession of Canadian timber wolf after wolf escapes and runs loose through neighborhood. Wolf is confiscated and transferred to menagerie in another part of state. (Pennsylvania Game Commission Press Release, 11/09/04) |
| 11/01/04 | Sarasota, FL | 18-yr-old circus worker is bitten by bear while trying to break up aggressive behavior among several bears at Big Cat Habitat. He is flown to Bayfront Medical Center where he is listed in fair condition. (The Tampa Tribune) |
| 10/31/04 | Fordland, MO | Former circus elephant pushes through fence to escape from farm and is found following day. 40-yr-old, 5-ton female Asian elephant has several cuts when found, which her caretaker says are likely from making her way through fence. (Associated Press, Springfield.news-leader.com) |
| 10/24/04 | Wills Point, TX | Barbary ape is shot at Cash Wiley's Exotic Animal Ranch by unknown shooter. Incident is being investigated by Van Zandt County Sheriff's Department. Monkey, named Rascal, is found floating in pond day after Halloween. Rascal was dominant male in group of 7 primates. (www.wfaa.com, The Dallas Morning News) |
| 10/19/04 | Long Beach, IN | 2-ft alligator is found in surf near shore of Lake Michigan. Alligator is recaptured. (Northwest Indiana News) |
| 10/15/04 | Columbia, TN | Serval escapes from her residence through storm door and is loose for 3 weeks. She is subsequently captured 11/10/04. (www.tennessean.com) |
| 10/12/04 | Birmingham, AL | 5-yr-old boy is bitten by his family's "pet" wolf. Boy survives attack but wolf is euthanized. (www.waff.com) |
| 10/07/04 | Yonkers, NY | Passengers waiting for subway see 10-ft snake curled up on tracks. Snake is later run over by train. (New York Times) |
| 10/01/04 | Las Vegas, NV | Serval escapes from his home and is subsequently recaptured by Animal Control. (Las Vegas Sun) |
| 09/30/04 | Lewisboro, NY | After eluding searchers for 3 days, albino wallaby is found dead, apparently killed by car. Wallaby escaped from menagerie of exotic animals kept on estate. (Newsday) |
| 09/19/04 | Sumpter Township, MI | Resident reports he came face-to-face with cougar near his home. Animal Control states cougar could be someone's "pet" that escaped. (Detroit Free Press) |
| 09/11/04 | Lynwood, IL | Cougar is spotted in suburban neighborhood. It is suspected that cougar escaped from some type of captive situation. (Washington Times) |
| 09/08/04 | Peoria, IL | Worker at Wildlife Prairie State Park is in critical condition after black bear mauls him. 5-yr-old bear is out of his den when worker enters bear's pen to feed him. Officials think gate to bear's den had been left unlocked. Worker suffers severe leg injuries and nerve damage. (Associated Press) |
| 09/06/04 | Trenton, ME | Employee of Acadia Zoological Park is seriously injured by 13-yr-old leopard. Details of incident are not released. Man is taken to nearby hospital with injuries to his face and arm. Zoo declines to say whether leopard was quarantined or destroyed. (Associated Press) |
| 09/04/04 | North College Hill, OH | Woman dies after being bitten by her venomous snake. Her house was home to 10 venomous snakes and 13 non-venomous reptiles. (The Enquirer) |
| 08/31/04 | Bay St. Louis, MS | 17-ft Burmese python escapes from his enclosure and is loose for 4 days before he is recaptured. (Sun Herald) |
| 08/06/04 | Fort Polk, LA | 1-yr-old tiger is loose in thick brush area surrounding Army base. (The Town Talk) |
| 08/04/04 | Belfair, WA | 8-ft alligator escapes and is likely living in Trails End Lake. (www.KIROTV.com) |
| 08/03/04 | Madison, WI | 2nd child is sickened by salmonella after handling small turtles. Parents purchased some small turtles and 2 days later their 4-yr-old daughter becomes ill. (Associated Press) |
| 08/01/04 | Lucas County, OH | 3 bobcats escape from their enclosure after someone cuts hole in cage. 1 bobcat returns home and other 2 are still loose. (www.onnnews.com) |
| 08/01/04 | Brooklyn, NY | Darla, 5-yr-old macaque monkey, bites 2-yr-old boy being wheeled by his grandparents in shopping cart at grocery store. (Newsday) |
| 07/29/04 | Severn, MD | Wallaby is spotted wandering in backyard of family's home. 2 months later — 10/01/04 — wallaby is captured. (The Washington Times) |
| 07/26/04 | Zanesville, OH | Wild cat sighted in area has been linked to attack on pony. Wildlife research technician believes wild cat is probably someone's "pet." Cat is spotted on 09/29/04 in front yard of house. (Times Recorder) |
| 07/23/04 | Shepherdsville, KY | 50-lb 2-yr-old declawed snow leopard escapes from his cage while being transferred between cages in box. Something startles cat and he breaks through wire gate and runs into woods behind house. Leopard is located 9 days after being loose and returned to his home. (www.whas11.com and Courier-Journal News) |
| 07/12/04 | Vero Beach, FL | 16-ft Burmese python is captured on city street after passing motorist spots animal. Animal Control Officer suspects snake escaped or was let loose. (Associated Press) |
| 07/08/04 | Loxahatchee, FL | 6-yr-old tiger belonging to actor who played Tarzan escapes from his enclosure, jumps 12-ft fence that surrounds the property. Tiger is later located and killed. (Newsday) |
| 07/07/04 | Derry, NH | Alligator Alice escapes from her enclosed pond for 2nd time in week. (The Union Leader) |
| 07/06/04 | Grand Rapids, MI | Iguana escapes from his cage and crawls out window of his possessor's van while being transported to veterinarian. (Associated Press) |
| 07/05/04 | St. Charles, MN | Escaped monkey bites 2 people at Winona County fairgrounds. 5 monkeys from Staples Safari Zoo and Animal Rescue escape when 2 boys pry open locked trailer door. 4 monkeys are quickly captured, but 5th flees, and bites when cornered. People who catch monkey and are bitten receive rabies shots while monkey is placed in quarantine. (Associated Press) |
| 07/04/04 | Macomb County, MI | Long-tailed macaque is found scampering through neighborhood backyard. (Detroit Free Press) |
| 07/03/04 | Temecula, CA | Nevada resident visiting friends in Temecula loses his 8-yr-old spider monkey when monkey jumps out of car outside restaurant. (Press Enterprise) |
| 07/01/04 | Mandeville, FL | For 2nd time in 2 years, 16-ft python escapes from mobile home. (The Advocate) |
| 06/12/04 | Mishawaka, IN | 5-ft boa constrictor is found in middle of street hit by car. (South Bend Tribune) |
| 06/12/04 | Wrightstown, PA | Australian wallaby, Melbourne, escapes from private petting zoo and wanders surrounding area for more than 2 weeks. According to zoo's owner, Melbourne is "not friendly." Melbourne is eventually trapped and returned to zoo. (CBS 3: KYW-TV, Philadelphia Daily News) |
| 06/01/04 | Jonesboro, AR | Escaped 6-ft Burmese "pet" python is found slithering through garden of local resident. (KAIT8.com) |
| 05/30/04 | Plymouth, CT | "Pet" wallaby escapes from his home and is spotted by 2 residents. (The Hartford Courant) |
| 05/28/04 | Buckhead, GA | Escaped lynx is caught and returned to man who also breeds lynx for sale to circuses, zoos, and other commercial exhibitors. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) |
| 05/23/04 | Ross County, OH | 33-yr-old woman suffers injuries to her arm when lioness "owned" by her father attacks her. Lion is shot and killed. (Chillicothe Gazette) |
| 05/23/04 | Brutus, NY | Woman loses part of her arm when she is mauled while attempting to pet caged bear in private zoo. She is driven to hospital where her arm is amputated just below elbow. (The Post-Standard) |
| 05/11/04 | Weedsport, NY | College student's arm is mangled by caged "pet" bear kept as part of exotic animal menagerie. 22-yr-old girl's left arm is amputated 2 inches below elbow. (The Post-Standard) |
| 05/05/04 | Albuquerque, NM | Man visiting Rio Grande Zoo sticks his finger into jaguar's cage, and cat bites off finger. Man flees scene untreated. (Associated Press) |
| 05/04/04 | Snohomish County, WA | Woman reports that her father's 10-ft python snake has escaped from its enclosure. (Seattle Times) |
| 05/04/04 | Gahanna, OH | Search is on to find escaped "pet" lion spotted by several residents including police officers. (Associated Press) |
| 05/04/04 | Brenham, TX | Large snake is spotted roaming neighborhood. (Banner Press) |
| 05/03/04 | Lake County, IL | As many as 50 residents report seeing what appears to be cougar during course of past 2 months. Officials believe the animal is an escaped or released "pet." (Chicago Tribune) |
| 05/01/04 | Glenwood Springs, CO | 7-yr-old girl suffers injuries to her face when wolf-hybrid jumps up and bites her while she is taking pictures of animals for school project. (Post Independent) |
| 04/22/04 | Silver Springs, FL | Adult brown bear at Silver Springs' World of Bears bites bearkeeper's arm near shoulder, according to press statement. Keeper is hospitalized for treatment. Bear will be quarantined for 10 days for observation. (WESH.com, Newschannel 2) |
| 04/22/04 | Dallas, TX | 2 "pet" cobra snakes escape from their enclosure 1 week earlier and have since terrified some residents of condominium complex. No cobra antivenin is available in or around Dallas. (Star-Telegram) |
| 04/15/04 | Lakeland, FL | 2 "pet" wolf-hybrids attack and kill neighbor's dog after they escape from their own yard. These hybrids are 2 of 16 wolf-hybrids kept in neighborhood backyard. (The Ledger) |
| 04/12/04 | Indio Hills, CA | 200-lb tiger escapes from his enclosure and is later returned. (NewsChannel 3) |
| 04/11/04 | East Manatee, FL | 2 giant pythons are found in ditch by county workers. Snakes likely released by their "owner" or escaped their enclosure, although no one has reported them missing. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 04/07/04 | Rose Hill, VA | Snake-handling pastor dies in his home after being bitten on finger by rattlesnake while he is performing Pentecostal Easter service. (Richmond Times Dispatch) |
| 04/05/04 | Long Island, NY | 75-lb ocelot escapes basement where she is kept as "pet" and is thought to be prowling woods around ritzy community of North Shore. (www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland) |
| 04/03/04 | East Knoxville, TN | "Pet" bobcat escapes from her enclosure and remains at large. This is 3rd time possessor has asked authorities to help her locate her missing animal. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 03/27/04 | Boston, MA | Burmese python wraps tightly around its possessor and bites down on her wrist for more than 20 minutes before police arrive to remove snake. (Boston Herald) |
| 03/25/04 | Philadelphia, PA | Escaped "pet" wolf is captured and taken to animal control facility where he waits for his "owner" to claim him. It is illegal to keep wolf in city of Philadelphia. (NBC10.com) |
| 03/19/04 | Lee County, FL | 2 Cotton-Top Tamarin monkeys are reported missing from their cage. (The News-Press) |
| 03/17/04 | Tulsa, OK | Woman finds 2-ft alligator in her flower bed. (Tulsa World) |
| 03/11/04 | Massena, NY | 4-yr-old is mauled by 1 of her grandmother's "pet" cougars. Child is hospitalized for bruises to head and is treated for eye injury. (www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/) |
| 03/09/04 | Libertyville, IL | Illinois officials disclose receiving multiple calls from locals who report seeing cougar in area. Since there have not been mountain lions here since 1860s, animal is likely escaped or released "pet." (Chicago Tribune) |
| 03/07/04 | East Limestone, AK | 9-yr-old cougar escapes his cage and spends night prowling his "owner's" property before being captured and recaged. (Associated Press) |
| 03/05/04 | Green County, OH | "Pet" bear escapes from its barn, but is caught shortly thereafter. This animal is 1 of bears mentioned on 02/17/04. Remaining "pet" black bears are seized by animal control officers. (Associated Press) |
| 02/24/04 | Porter, IN | Veterinarian with 35 years' experience handling snakes narrowly avoids death when he is bitten by "pet" rattlesnake. Antivenin is located and administered at last minute. (Associated Press) |
| 02/17/04 | Lawrence, KS | Several people reported seeing cougar roaming within city limits. Wildlife officials could not confirm reintroduction of wild mountain lions into state and suggest possibility that this is escaped or released "pet." (Lawrence Journal-World) |
| 02/17/04 | Dade City, FL | "Pet" cougar is found lounging near neighbor's pool 3/10ths of mile away from his home. Animal's possessor retrieves animal without incident, but she will have to appear in court for allowing cougar to escape. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 02/14/04 | Green County, OH | Escaped 250-lb bear is caught after 1 night and confined to cage with 2 other bears. Her "owner" has total of 10 bears, which he keeps in his yard behind 6-ft chainlink fence. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 02/24/04 | Lawrence, KS | Several people reported seeing cougar roaming within city limits. Wildlife officials could not confirm reintroduction of wild mountain lions into state and suggest possibility that this is escaped or released "pet." (Lawrence Journal-World) |
| 02/17/04 | Dade City, FL | "Pet" cougar is found lounging near neighbor's pool 3/10ths of mile away from his home. Animal's possessor retrieves animal without incident, but she will have to appear in court for allowing cougar to escape. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 02/09/04 | Pequea, PA | 17-yr-old boy may lose his finger after being bitten by his highly venomous West African bush viper snake. No antivenin exists for this type of "pet." (Sunday News) |
| 02/07/04 | Yemassee, SC | Woman runs into "pet" hippopotamus with her car and kills him. Hippo escaped from his home earlier that day. (Island Packet Online) |
| 01/31/04 (reported) |
Dillsboro, IN | 10 wolves escape from Red Wolf Sanctuary and Raptor Rehabilitation Center, prompting state officials to order it to closed to public until improvements are made. Wolves break free from their 3-acre pen. 2 die, while rest are recaptured. (The Indianapolis Star, Associated Press) |
| 01/24/04 | Fort Wayne, IN | While driving his 4-yr-old 140-lb lion home from veterinarian appointment, man crashes his car into ditch. Lion is not secured in cage within car, so escapes from car and is found 4 hours later hiding in bushes. Animal Control attempts to dart animal to no avail; as lion runs he is shot and killed. (The News-Sentinel) |
| 01/09/04 | Surry County, NC | 14-yr-old girl is mauled by her father's "pet" tiger while she is inside cage taking pictures of tiger. Father owns 4 tigers; after incident all are shot. (Winston-Salem Journal) |
| 12/27/03 | Summerville, SC | "Pet" 4-yr-old African serval escapes and is still loose. Native to Africa, servals can grow to be 24 inches tall and weigh more than 20 lbs. (Post & Courier) |
| 12/24/03 | Calvert County, MD | Pigtailed macaque monkey bites left thumb of 49-yr-old man. (Washington Post) |
| 12/15/03 (reported) |
Rockwell, NC | Samson, leopard or jaguar at Charlotte Metro Zoo, while being used in television commercial for Carolina Panthers bites zoo's owner. In separate incident, cobra used for Carolina Cobras football team commercial gets loose during filming. (Salisbury Post) |
| 12/11/03 | Millers Creek, NC | 10-yr-old boy is mauled to death by his aunt's "pet" tiger, who pulls boy under fence and into cage. (Associated Press) |
| 11/28/03 | Natural Bridge, VA | 2 6-yr-old Asiatic bears escape from pen at Natural Bridge Zoo when worker neglects to lock gate properly. Male bear, Festus, breaks into neighboring house and is shot by zoo's owner and sheriff's deputy several times at close range. Female, Maggie, is found under porch outside, where she swipes at homeowner. She is shot by zoo's owner and disappears into woods, only to be shot and killed 2 days later by hunter. USDA authorities are investigating zoo. (Washington Post) |
| 10/28/03 | Gillette, WY | 2 men are hospitalized after being bitten by 1 of 2 rattlesnakes illegally kept at home. (Associated Press) |
| 10/28/03 | Newark, NJ | "Pet" alligator en route from Miami to Newark escapes from crate which holds burlap sack he is being transported in. (www.cnn.com) |
| 10/26/03 | Hamilton Township, NJ | Man is trapped inside his car by someone's escaped "pet" emu. (www.us-news-watch.com). |
| 10/23/03 | Mauldin, SC | Golden Strip residents report at least 8 sightings of apparent mountain lion in past few weeks. Animal is likely escaped "pet" as wildlife officials dispute possibility it is from wild stock. (Greenville News) |
| 10/21/03 | Glendale, AZ | Authorities find "pet" python that escapes from his enclosure. (Associated Press) |
| 10/20/03 | Elmira, NY | Authorities find "pet" python but have yet to identify its possessors. (Star-Gazette) |
| 10/19/03 | Jacksboro, TN | For past 3 weeks, many local residents have sighted what appears to be escaped "pet" orangutan. (www.wte.com) |
| 10/16/03 | Stamford, CT | "Pet" chimpanzee unbuckles his seatbelt, unlocks door, and bolts from vehicle. Intersection in town is closed off for 2 hours until his possessors and police can corral him back into car. No one is injured. (www.KCRAChannel.com) |
| 10/14/03 | Little Ferry, NJ | 44-yr-old man is found dead in his garage, victim of bite from his "pet" Gabon viper. (The Record (Bergen County, NJ)) |
| 10/12/03 | Northampton Township, PA | Several residents see large cat, possibly cougar, roaming area for days. Animal is thought to be someone's exotic "pet" turned loose. (www.kyw.com) |
| 10/06/03 | Girard Township, PA | Woman captures on video camera what appears to be either black panther or cougar in Girard Borough Park. Animal is likely someone's "pet." (www.goerie.com) |
| 10/04/03 | Golden Valley, AZ | Tigger, 6-yr-old, 500-lb Bengal tiger at Keepers of the Wild animal sanctuary, attacks 21-yr-old employee who goes to pet him while cleaning his pool. Tigger bites her on leg and drags her across ground. Another employee uses steel rack to get Tigger off her. 3 of Tigger's canine teeth go completely through her leg and she spends 5 days in hospital. (KLAS-TV Channel 8 (CBS) Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sun) |
| 10/03/03 | New York, NY | 400-lb "pet" Bengal tiger bites his possessor on arm, sending man to hospital. Tiger is confiscated from Harlem apartment along with "pet" alligator. Man faces criminal charges which could culminate in 7-yr prison sentence. On 10/07/04 man is sentenced to 5 months in jail for reckless endangerment. (New York Times, Associated Press) |
| 10/01/03 | Las Vegas, NV | During magic show at Mirage hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy is mauled by Montecore, 7-yr-old, 600-lb white tiger. When Montecore latches onto Horn's arm, Horn taps Montecore on head with microphone. Audience of 1,500 watches Montecore drag Horn offstage by neck. Attack opens artery in Horn's neck. Show workers set off fire extinguishers backstage to distract tiger. Horn remains in critical but stable condition at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. (Associated Press) |
| 09/28/03 | Birmingham, AL | "Pet" timber wolf bites 8-yr-old on left calf. (Birmingham News) |
| 09/16/03 | Manassas, VA | Escaped "pet" caracal, 20-lb native South African feline, is captured by Animal Control after it confronts German shepherd. (www.nbc4.com) |
| 08/30/03 | Van Buren Township, MI | Cougar is spotted roaming wooded area in township. Big cat is suspected to be cougar and someone's "pet" that escaped or is set free. (www.clickondetroit.com/news) |
| 08/27/03 | Everett, WA | 7-ft python escapes from his home and is found slithering in front yard of South Everett man's home. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) |
| 08/27/03 | Rainier, WA | Black bear escapes from exotic animal collection. It takes deputies over hour to get him back to his cage. Neighbors say this is 4th time bear has escaped from man who has many other exotic animals, including Bengal tiger, cougar, and alligator. (KIRO-TV Channel 7 (CBS) Seattle) |
| 08/26/03 | Tampa, FL | 12-ft Burmese python escapes from his enclosure. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 08/23/03 | Thurston County, WA | Black bear escapes from his home and is subsequently captured. This is 4th time bear has escaped. (www.kirotv.com) |
| 08/23/03 | Everett, WA | Python was found in Everett's Silver Lake. It is suspected that snake is someone's "pet." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) |
| 08/20/03 | Tuscarawas County, OH | Gray fox is spotted alongside road. Gray fox is wearing collar and has apparently been kept in ferret cage. (Times Reporter) |
| 08/18/03 | Whetstone Township, OH | "Pet" mountain lion escapes from his home and attacks and injures neighbor dog. Dog is rushed to vet hospital with more than 100 lacerations; dog is released and will be fine. (Telegraph-Forum) |
| 08/16/03 | Buena Park, CA | Replica Old West stagecoach at Knott's Berry Farm, driven by 2 employees and pulled by 4 horses, fails to stop at end of its 6-minute ride that carries 11 passengers. Momentum of coach, which can weigh up to 4,000-lbs. when fully loaded, prevents horses from stopping after braking system reportedly breaks. Horses try to turn but can't, and 1st horse on left dies after slamming into chain-link fence with wooded slats. 4 passengers are treated for minor injuries as well as employee sitting shotgun who is treated for shoulder injury. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 08/12/03 | Town and Country, FL | Man's "pet" mamba snake bites him half-dozen times on forearm and wrist and man is rushed to hospital. Man possesses 26 poisonous snakes and 4 small crocodiles in his mobile home. 4 small children also reside in mobile home. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 08/08/03 | Tampa, FL | First-grader is bitten by pygmy rattlesnake. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 08/06/03 | Chicago, IL | "Pet" rhesus monkey escapes from her home after she opens latch on her cage, opens window and climbs out. She is subsequently captured in stairwell. (www.wbbm780.com and Chicago Tribune) |
| 08/05/03 | Antelope, CA | Woman finds senior macaque monkey in cage on side of road as she pulls into gas station. (KXTV Channel 10 (ABC) Sacramento) |
| 08/03/03 | Wilkinsburg, PA | 4-ft alligator is captured in residential yard after he escapes. (Associated Press) |
| 08/03/03 | Dayton, OH | Firefighter is bitten on his left hand by his "pet" rhino viper snake and is rushed to hospital, where he dies next day. (www.whiotv.com, The Daytona Daily News) |
| 07/29/03 | Otis, MA | 6 wolf-hybrids escape from their home and are spotted roaming nearby neighborhoods. 2 are captured. (The Eagle) |
| 07/29/03 | Osage County, OK | Motorist spots adult monkey and 2 small monkeys along Oklahoma Route 123. (The World) |
| 07/28/03 | Tampa, FL | 6-ft Boa constrictor escapes from his cage. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 07/23/03 | Manatee County, FL | 12-ft Burmese python escapes and is found next day. (Bradenton Herald) |
| 07/23/03 | Harrisburg, PA | 2-to-3-ft alligator is found swimming in city's Italian Lake and is subsequently captured. It is suspected that alligator was someone's "pet." (www.thewgalchannel.com) |
| 07/22/03 | Kingston, MA | 3-ft monitor lizard is found in cranberry crop. Lizard is suspected of being someone's "pet" and is subsequently captured. (www.townonline.com) |
| 07/21/03 | Athens, GA | 3-ft savanna monitor lizard is found in backyard. Lizard is suspected of being someone's "pet." (Florida Times-Union) |
| 07/16/03 | Westchester County, NY | 4-ft Burmese python is found in front walkway of private eastside Yonkers house. Police suspect animal escaped from nearby house. (The Journal News) |
| 07/14/03 | Mansfield, TX | 15-ft Burmese python escapes from his enclosure and is subsequently captured. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) |
| 07/05/03 | Panama City, FL | 10-ft Burmese python is found near fish pond. Animal Control captures snake. (Associated Press) |
| 07/04/03 | Buckhannon, WV | "Pet" lemur escapes from his home while his possessor is out of state. "Pet sitter" reports lemur missing and animal is subsequently captured. (Charleston Daily Mail) |
| 07/03/03 | Glocester, RI | 14-ft yellow and orange Burmese python, Slick, escapes from his 300-gallon tank. (Associated Press) |
| 07/03/03 | La Crosse, WI | During performance at Riverfest, tiger claws his trainer during 1st show. Trainer turns for split-second and tiger claws his leg. (WKBT-TV Channel 8 (CBS) La Crosse) |
| 06/03-07/03 | Sherburne, NY | 7-ft python escapes from his home. (Evening Star) |
| 06/30/03 | Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin | Total of 81 cases of Monkeypox in humans are being investigated in these 6 states as result of contact with prairie dogs which have recently become popular "pet." So far, 32 cases are confirmed by CDC. (www.journalsentinel.com) |
| 06/29/03 | Calhan, CO | 35-yr-old man is severely mauled by Duke and Merlin, 2 500-lb tigers, while inside their cage for daily cleaning at Big Cats of Serenity Springs wildlife refuge in El Paso County. Refuge's owner rushes in and breaks 2 shovels fighting off tigers. Man suffers mangled calf and scalp injuries. Both tigers are killed. (KMGH-TV Channel 7 (ABC) Denver, The Denver Post) |
| 06/23/03 | Deerfield Township, OH | Lion is in suburban area. It is suspected that lion is someone's "pet." (Cincinnati Enquirer) |
| 06/18/03 | Crossett, AR | Firefighter at Crossett Zoo is bitten on right hand by Tigger the tiger. Firefighter is inside fence which separates Tigger's cage from rest of zoo when Tigger bites and clamps down for more than 30 seconds. Surgery repairs deep laceration and severed tendon of 1 finger. Tip of thumb is bitten off but firefighter has "excellent chance" to regain full use of finger. (Ashley County Ledger) |
| 06/15/03 | Benton, IL | 40-lb 6-1/2-ft Asian water monitor escapes from her cage after prying top of cage loose. (Associated Press) |
| 06/11/03 | Whitehall Township, PA | Man is bitten on shoulder by 1 of several poisonous snakes he keeps in his apartment. Police confiscate 10 poisonous snakes from apartment. (The Morning Call) |
| 06/06/03 | Westford, MA | Big cat, likely cougar, is spotted roaming neighborhood. No one reports missing exotic cat to authorities, but it is illegal to possess "big cat" in Massachusetts. (www.capitalnews9.com) |
| 06/06/03 | Rockledge, FL | 80-lb Burmese python, Lurch, escapes from his cage and wraps tightly around leg of his possessor's mother. Paramedics arrive and free woman. (The Tallahassee Democrat) |
| 05/31/03 | Red Wing, MN | Siberian tiger is put to sleep for attacking 3 people. (WCCO-TV Channel 4 (CBS) Minneapolis) |
| 05/17/03 | Rhode Island | "Pet" piranha attacks little girl. Girl is bitten on finger and immediately rushed to hospital, where she is expected to make complete recovery. (KHOU-TV Channel 11 (CBS)) |
| 05/16/03 | Macon, GA | "Pet" tortoise is found roaming neighborhood. Reptile is subsequently recaptured and returned home. (The Macon Telegraph) |
| 05/16/03 | Leavenworth County, KS | Man is attacked by "pet" bear. (KMBC-TV Channel 9 (ABC)) |
| 05/08/03 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 300-lb black bear escaped from her cage but is later recaptured. (KCRG-TV Channel 9 (ABC)) |
| 05/08/03 | Indiana | Wild cat attacks woman's car while car is parked. Police suspect wild cat escaped from private home. (WXIX-TV Channel 19 (Fox)) |
| 05/07/03 | Las Vegas, NV | Wayne Newton's "pet" wallaby escapes from her home and leads police and animal control officers on 2-mile chase before she is recaptured. (Fox News) |
| 05/04/03 | Orlando, FL | 7-ft alligator at Gatorland bites handler on face. Handler is preparing for park's Gator Wrestling Show, which takes place in 800-seat arena, when alligator bites him. Handler is in fair condition with gash to face and will probably need stitches. Handler has 4 years' experience handling large reptiles at park. (Orlando Sentinel Tribune) |
| 05/01/03 | Darlington County, NC | Man is attacked by his water buffalo. After the attack water buffalo is shot and killed. (The Messenger) |
| 04/28/03 | Tucson, AZ | Willie, "pet" monkey, escapes and is loose for several days until he ends up at house 2 miles from where he escaped. Willie is captured and relocated to Texas sanctuary. (Tucson Citizen) |
| 04/27/03 | Queens, NY | 4-ft alligator is discovered in Alley Pond Park. Alligator's possessor is unknown. (The New York Post) |
| 04/27/03 | Fountain Hills, AZ | Capuchin monkey breaks out of his cage, turns key in front door, and takes off for 3-day rampage. (The Arizona Republic) | 04/25/03 | Boise, ID | 13-month-old boy dies after being attacked by a wolf-hybrid. The wolf-hybrid repeatedly bites boy more than 100 times, eventually puncturing his jugular vein. (www.kbcitv.com) |
| 04/25/03 | San Antonio, TX | Hanna, 350-lb lioness at Wild Animal Orphanage, escapes her cage and roams neighborhood. Police on ground and in helicopter find Hanna. Sanctuary director shoots Hanna with tranquilizer dart, frightening lioness who charges and knocks director down. Director is treated for fractured pelvis bone and bruised rib. 90 minutes later Hanna is again found and another dart fired. Hanna charges group and 4 police fire with handguns and shotguns, killing Hanna. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 04/19/03 | South San Francisco, CA | Cougar is killed by car alongside Interstate 280. Whether animal was "pet" or from wild is uncertain. (San Jose Mercury News) |
| 04/10/03 | Green Bay, WI | Jasper, "pet" monkey, at bar with his possessor, escapes through back door and is recaptured 3 days later. (Green Bay Press-Gazette) |
| 04/08/03 | Pataskala, OH | 3 African servals escape after scratching through screen on their possessor's bedroom window. 2 servals have been rescued and 1 is still loose in community. (Advocate Reporter) |
| 04/08/03 | District of Columbia | Burmese python bites person who is HIV-positive. (The Washington Post) |
| 04/02/03 | San Antonio, TX | Buffalo at petting zoo behind Rachel's Country Corner gores and tramples 29-yr-old caretaker to death. USDA officials are looking into possible violations of Animal Welfare Act. (The Post and Courier) |
| 03/31/03 | Adair, OK | Tiger attacks volunteer handler at Safari Joe's Rock Creek Exotic Animal Park who leans against cage, and rips off her left arm. Woman dies from loss of blood. Tiger belongs to International Wildlife Center of Texas, which leases building in park. (Associated Press) |
| 03/31/03 | Hennepin, IL | Owner of Second Nature Exotic Cats Sanctuary is killed by tiger when he lets 2 tigers out of building into penned enclosure for exercise. Police shoot both tigers to rescue wounded and bleeding man, only to discover he is dead. On his rural property man also had 1 cougar, 1 lion, and another tiger. (Peoria Journal Star) |
| 03/30/03 | Cascade County, MT | 2 wolf-hybrids escaped from their home and kill llama. Wolf-hybrids were subsequently located and returned to their possessor. (Great Falls Tribune) |
| 03/18/03 | Salinas, CA | 2-ft iguana is found strolling down street. (The Californian) |
| 03/18/03 (reported) |
20th Century Fox television set | Trained mountain lion bites actress Elisha Cuthbert on set of television series 24. Trainer instructs Cuthbert to befriend animal, but lion sinks his teeth into Cuthbert's hand. Cuthbert is treated for puncture wounds and receives tetanus shot. (Ananova News Search, The Sun) |
| 03/13/03 | Amherst, NY | Roo-Two, kangaroo wearing diaper, gets loose and is hopping near golf course when police manage to capture him. (WGRZ-TV - Buffalo) |
| 03/10/03 | Hartford, CT | Runaway wallaby is captured and returned to his possessor after roaming neighborhood. (WTNH-TV Channel 8 (ABC)) |
| 03/06/03 | Barlow, KY | Truck carrying 3 elephants gets in accident and goes into ditch. Elephants are unloaded and let wander around side of highway until police and tow truck arrived to pull out elephants' truck. Elephants are reloaded and continue on their way to Florida. (MSNBC, WDIV-TV Channel 4 (NBC) Detroit, WCMH-TV Channel 4 (NBC) Columbus, KVBC-TV Channel 3 (NBC) Las Vegas, WWBT-TV Channel 12 (NBC) Richmond) |
| 03/06/03 | Annapolis, MD | Woman is bitten on thumb by boyfriend's venomous snake and is rushed to hospital. Boyfriend is charged with reckless endangerment and importing venomous snake into state. (Baltimore Sun) |
| 03/05/03 | Pacific Grove, CA | 10-ft Burmese python is missing after her possessor lets her out of cage to sun herself. (Monterey County Herald) |
| 03/03/03 | Pope County, IL | 7-ft black bear escapes from his owner while being walked. Bear reappears at his home 1 week later. (Associated Press) |
| 02/24/03 | Golconda, IL | 7-ft, 500-lb black bear is loose. Bear returns to his pen on 03/11/03. (www.KFVS12.com, Associated Press) |
| 02/24/03 | Seattle, WA | 2 servals are found roaming Seattle neighborhood. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) |
| 01/31/03 | Choctaw County, AL | Deer mauls and gores 79-yr-old man to death while man is working on fence. Deer was man's "pet." (WJSU-TV Channel 40 (ABC)) |
| 01/15/03 | Fort Myers, FL | Man is hospitalized and given 10 vials of antivenin after his "pet" cobra bites him in stomach. (Associated Press) |
| 01/15/03 | Raceland, LA | Escaped "pet" capuchin monkey is captured after spending weekend running loose. (The Advocate) |
| 01/06/03 | Miami, FL | Exotic cat is found along Florida highway. Cat's "owner" claims animal was stolen. (WSVN-TV Channel 7 (Fox)) |
| 12/30/02 | Laurens County, SC | 200-lb "pet" cougar escapes from family's backyard, where "owners" admit to keeping other exotics such as 1 bear, 1 tiger, and 1 baboon. (WYFF-TV Channel 4 (NBC)) |
| 12/19/02 | Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX | Elephant escapes exhibit at shopping mall after he hears police sirens. (KUNV-TV Channel 23 (UNI) Las Vegas) |
| 12/09/02 | Bradenton, FL | 15-inch alligator is reported missing from local pet store. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 12/02/02 | North Whidbey, WA | 3-ft iguana is found abandoned in home. Animal suffers from metabolic bone disease and will need surgery. (Whidbey News-Times) |
| 12/02/02 | Oak Cliff, TX | 6-yr-old monkey escapes from his home, runs loose in neighborhood, and is subsequently recaptured. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 11/25/02 | Niles Township, MI | 3 "pet" emus escape from their home. 1 is recaptured and other 2 are still loose. (Associated Press) |
| 11/16/02 | Wenatchee, WA | 1-yr-old wolf-hybrid is captured after running loose and killing neighbor's chicken. Wolf-hybrid is scheduled to be put to death. (Associated Press) |
| 11/06/02 | Yacolt, WA | Man is bitten on lip by his "pet" rattlesnake when he attempts to kiss snake. (The Oregonian) |
| 10/30/02 | Gretna, NE | "Pet" bear escapes from his home and enjoys brief liberty before recapture. (Omaha World-Herald) |
| 10/28/02 | Milwaukee, WI | 2 "pet" coatimundis are loose in Milwaukee neighborhood after escaping from their home. (WTMJ-TV, Channel 4 (NBC)) |
| 10/17/02 | Las Vegas, NV | 2 tiger cubs loose on neighbor's roof are subsequently recaptured. (KLAS-TV Channel 8 (CBS) - www.klastv.com) |
| 10/14/02 | Southport, FL | Samson, 500-lb African lion at Knoll's 77 Zoological Park, attacks zookeeper who enters cage for photo. Lion grabs man, throws him in corner, and chews before releasing man. Zookeeper, who has hole ripped in throat, right eye pulled out of its socket, severed tendons in neck and chest, torn skin, bites down to bone, is listed in critical condition for 11 days. He loses 80% of eyesight and needs operation to restore vision. He has trained large animals since age 12 when he began training bears in circus in Europe. (Associated Press) |
| 10/14/02 | Bishop, FL | Woman discovers 8-ft "pet" python in her backyard. (Bradenton Herald) |
| 10/13/02 | Northland, KS | Cougar is mortally wounded by car after he runs onto interstate. Cougar is suspected to be "pet" since he is 1st documented sighting of cougar in area for more than century. (Kansas City Star) |
| 10/11/02 | Penn Township, PA | Green mamba snake bites man on finger. Snake is in his cage when he bites man. (Lancaster New ERA) |
| 09/30/02 | Jackson, NJ | Man is attacked by 1 of his 24 tigers. Man suffers severe injuries to his arm, head, and face. Man is husband of "Tiger Lady" Joan Byron-Marasek. (The Star Ledger) |
| 09/28/02 | Ravenna, MI | 3-month-old girl is attacked in her crib by family "pet" raccoon. Girl will have to undergo major facial reconstructive surgery. (Associated Press) |
| 09/28/02 | Know County, TN | Burmese python is loose in Carter community. Snake escapes after haystack falls on snake's enclosure and knocks latch open. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 09/26/02 | Bloomington, IL | After escaping from trailer at Travelcenters of America truck stop, apparently as his possessor is trying to give him water, Tigger, Bengal tiger, is shot and killed. (The Pantagraph) |
| 09/24/02 | Alexandria, AL | Skipper, "pet" black-cap monkey, escapes from his home while his guardian is in hospital. (Associated Press) |
| 09/24/02 | Gainesville, FL | Director of Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is working in 1 of parks' water lily gardens when 11-ft alligator, MoJo, bites off his right arm just below elbow. MoJo is harpooned, shot, and his stomach slit open to retrieve arm, but surgeons are unable to reattach arm. Man is listed in fair condition. (Associated Press, York News Times) |
| 09/20/02 | Quitman, AR | 4 lions found roaming near town are shot and killed. Authorities suspect lions belonged to operator of exotic farm, but operator denies allegations and maintains that someone dumped lions. (Associated Press) |
| 09/12/02 | Scotts Valley, CA | 150-lb tiger, Sima, lunges at 6-yr-old boy at school assembly, grabbing boy's head in her jaws. Zoo to You brought 1-yr-old declawed tiger to school to reward children selling magazine subscriptions. Boy needs 55 stitches to close wounds. (Associated Press, zootoyou.com) |
| 09/08/02 | Cincinnati, OH | Python escapes from his cage and eats dog. Snake now resides at rescue facility. (WKRC-TV Channel 12 (CBS)) |
| 09/01/02 | Pascagoula, MS | Man is bitten by his rattlesnake 4 times in arm. Man is rushed to hospital where he receives 27 bottles of antivenin. (The Sun Herald) |
| 08/29/02 | Bend, OR | Serval cat bites neck of 3-yr-old girl. (Associated Press) |
| 08/28/02 | Tampa, FL | "Pet" kinkajou scratches and bites 3 children. Judge orders animal be euthanized to determine if he had rabies. (WFLA-TV Channel 8 (NBC)) |
| 08/17/02 | Howard Beach, NY | Woman is bitten on hand by her "pet" python while at motel. (Newsday) |
| 08/14/02 | Red Bluff, CA | 17-ft python escapes through open window and slithers outside. She is subsequently recaptured. (Associated Press) |
| 08/12/02 | Haywood County, NC | Rattlesnake bites man's leg after he brings snake into his kitchen and force-feeds egg to snake. (The Citizen-Times) |
| 08/05/02 | San Luis Obispo, CA | Kenya, zebra, is found running down several streets. Kenya escaped from his enclosure after older zebra pushed him out of herd. Kenya runs nearly 10 miles until he is captured in car rental lot. (WKMG - www.local6.com) |
| 08/04/02 | Flathead County, MT | "Pet" monkey has bitten at least 4 local people, including 1 at restaurant and another at fruit stand on U.S. Route 2. (Associated Press) |
| 08/04/02 | Davenport, IA | Woman at Mississippi Valley Fair is bitten, scratched, and hit on head by monkey who is posing for photographs. Monkey goes "a little berserk." Woman is tested for herpes, HIV, hepatitis, and rabies (results still pending) and files lawsuit against monkey's owner and Mississippi Valley Fair. (Associated Press) |
| 08/01/02 | Racine, MN | While giving hug and putting monkey, JoJo, back in cage, volunteer at B.E.A.R.C.A.T. Hollow animal park is grabbed by hair. When volunteer tries to free herself, JoJo bites her on little finger of left hand. Volunteer must receive series of rabies shots. (Star Tribune, Duluth News-Tribune) |
| 07/30/02 | Beaverton, OR | 4-1/2 foot "pet" alligator is captured after escaping from his home and seen wandering neighborhood. (Associated Press) |
| 07/29/02 | Mountain Home, AR | Man finds 7-ft python in his driveway. Snake is in poor health, with 3rd degree burns probably caused by heating pad, and has mouth rot. (The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) |
| 07/28/02 | Charleston, SC | "Pet" skunk bites veterinary technician. Circuit judge orders skunk be euthanized. (Charleston Daily Mail) |
| 07/28/02 | South Bend, IN | 2-1/2-ft alligator is found roaming local neighborhood. Animal is former "pet" that escaped or was released by someone. (South Bend Tribune) |
| 07/26/02 | Pocatello, ID | 15-yr-old boy brings rattlesnake home to keep as "pet." Rattlesnake strikes boy's right index finger and boy is rushed to hospital. Department of Fish and Game removes snake. (Associated Press) |
| 07/25/02 | Sandy, UT | Junior, 6-ft African rock python, bites fingers of his 16-yr-old possessor. Police must use 2 pairs of scissors to pry snake off girl's hand. Girl suffers extensive puncture wounds. (The Salt Lake Tribune) |
| 07/23/02 | Lexington County, SC | 2 lion cubs escape from their pens. (WCCB-TV Channel 18 (FOX)) |
| 07/18/02 | Okaloosa County, FL | Escaped emu is killed after chasing 1 dog and harassing others. (WKMG - www.local6.com) |
| 07/17/02 | Jonesboro, AR | Neighbor is startled in own backyard by 8-ft "pet" python who escapes his enclosure. Neighbor beats snake to death with shovel. (Associated Press) |
| 07/17/02 | Columbus, OH | Escaped alligator is captured in Darby Creek. (WCMH-TV Channel 4 (NBC)) |
| 07/15/02 | Indianapolis, IN | "Pet" wallaby is loose after being startled by dog. (WTHR-TV Channel 13 (NBC)) |
| 07/11/02 | Duluth, MN | Man bitten by his "pet" cobra is in critical condition. (Duluth News Tribune) |
| 07/11/02 | Albuquerque, NM | 5-ft python escapes his cage and is either somewhere in home or wandering neighborhood. Home is residence of 2 children. (Albuquerque Journal) |
| 07/10/02 | Bowie, MD | "Pet" land tortoise is loose after escaping from her backyard while her guardians are out of town. (Capital-Gazette) |
| 07/06/02 | East Hempfield Township, PA | "Pet" alligator escapes from his home and turns up on 15th green of Lancaster County golf course. Alligator is returned to his guardian. (Associated Press) |
| 07/05/02 | Hermitage, TN | Family loses its exotic "pet" cat, which resembles cheetah. (WTVF-TV Channel 5 (CBS)) |
| 07/04/02 | St. Tammany Parish, LA | 12-ft Burmese python who escaped from his home is captured after he slithers out of woods and neighbor grabs his tail. (The Times-Picayune) |
| 07/02/02 | Stonington, CT | Serval-mix is loose in town after he escapes from his home. (WFSB-TV Channel 3 (CBS)) |
| 07/01/02 | Henrietta, NY | Man is handling 3 timber rattlesnakes kept illegally in his home when 1 snake bites him. (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 07/01/02 | West Concord, MN | Cindy Lou, captive black bear, lunges at 7-yr-old girl, biting her right leg and taking her to ground. Girl is in enclosed pen while grandfather feeds several of his "pet" bears. (Associated Press) |
| 06/28/02 | Muskego, WI | Rocko, "pet" wallaby, bites 6-yr-old boy on finger while boy is in Rocko's pen. Boy and another boy run away from Rocko, but Rocko chases both, kicks 2nd boy and knocks him to ground. Rocko previously escaped in May, see incident of 05/01/02. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) |
| 06/28/02 | Worcester, MA | Alligator escapes from his home and is recaptured 1 month later while swimming in local pond. (Telegram & Gazette) |
| 06/24/02 | Montgomery County, TX | "Pet" macaque monkey bites 9-yr-old boy and monkey's possessor, and scratches firefighter who tries to help. (Las Vegas Review-Journal) |
| 06/11/02 | Cincinnati, OH | Alligator is loose in local neighborhood after escaping from his home. (www.channelcincinnati.com) |
| 06/05/02 | Bergen County, NJ | 4-ft iguana, Elliott, is loose after escaping from his cage. (The Record) |
| 06/02/02 | Bloomington, IN | Exotic cat is found on doorstep of woman's home. (WISH-TV Channel 8) |
| 06/02/02 | Wickliffe, KY | 5-yr-old boy is mauled to death by wolf-hybrid during visit to his grandmother's house. "Owner" of animal is ordered to serve 6 months in jail with picture of child on her cell wall. (Capital Times) |
| 05/02/02 | Calais, ME | 2 wolf-hybrids attacked 2 neighbors' dogs and bite woman on chin when she attempts to break up fight. Same wolf-hybrids involved in 1999 incident. (Bangor Daily News) |
| 05/02/02 | Indiana | 10-yr-old boy is attacked by Burmese python while visiting pet store. Snake's possessor brings animal into store and allows boy to hold snake. Boy is bitten on shoulder and chest and suffers 40 puncture wounds before animal is removed. (Associated Press) |
| 05/01/02 | Muskego, WI | Rocko, "pet" wallaby, escapes from his pen and hops through neighborhood, is later recaptured. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) |
| 04/28/02 | Leesburg, FL | 4 Burmese pythons who escaped their cage are recovered next day in closet of nearby home. (Orlando Sentinel Tribune) |
| 04/25/02 | Easley, SC | 8-yr-old boy is bitten on leg by father's "pet" tiger. (Post & Courier) |
| 04/22/02 | Greenwood, IN | Police capture escaped "pet" savanna monitor lizard. (Eyewitness News-10) |
| 04/11/02 | Beaver County, PA | Escaped "pet" binturong is captured after night of roaming. (Post-Gazette) |
| 04/02/02 | The Redlands, FL | "Pet" monkey escapes and is loose. (CBS 4 News) |
| 03/27/02 | Mission Viejo, CA | 40-yr-old "pet" California desert tortoise escape and is still missing. (Orange County Register) |
| 03/22/02 | Boynton Beach, FL | Capuchin monkey escapes his home and is found 1 mile away in tree house. (Sun Sentinel) |
| 03/14/02 | Menifee, CA | Wolf-hybrid bites 10-yr-old boy in parking lot. Boy suffers puncture wounds, scrapes, and bruises when he is bitten and is dragged more than 20 feet. (Press Enterprise) |
| 03/13/02 | Holland Township, MI | Woman reports seeing cougar roaming neighborhood. It is suspected cougar is escaped "pet." (www.clickondetroit.com) |
| 03/10/02 | Thorntown, IN | Spider monkey is loose in neighborhood after monkey escapes his home. (The Indianapolis Star) |
| 03/04/02 | San Diego, CA | "Pet" emu escapes from his enclosure after being bitten by donkey. The emu runs wild for 3 days, leaps fence, injures police officer, and stops traffic in front of high school. (Associated Press) |
| 03/02/02 | Fort Bend County, TX | Rare white-crowned Mangaby is found living with pack of dogs. Most likely primate is escaped "pet." (ABC 13 Eyewitness News) |
| 02/16/02 | Howard County, MD | 5-ft monitor lizard is captured after feasting on some petunias. (Washington Post) |
| 02/15/02 | Hollywood, FL | "Pet" iguana bites off teenager's finger tip. (Annova) |
| 02/11/02 | Pahrump, NV | Animal exhibitor Karl Mitchell shoots and kills 1 of his tigers after animal becomes frightened and escapes his control while being moved to new residence. (Associated Press) |
| 02/10/02 | Tampa, FL | "Pet" bison escapes from his enclosure. (WTSP-TV Channel 10) |
| 02/03/02 | Aurora, CO | 43-yr-old man is strangled to death by his 10-ft "pet" Burmese python. (Denver Post) |
| 02/03/02 | Loxahatchee, FL | Woman is hospitalized in critical condition with skull fracture after she is attacked and bitten by 750-lb declawed tiger. Woman had been painting in preparation for photo shoot at Steve Sipek's private animal compound. (Associated Press) |
| 02/01/02 | League City, TX | Dog is killed by neighbor's "pet" wolf-hybrid. (KHOU-TV Channel 11 (CBC)) |
| 01/28/02 | Harrodsburg, IN | Escaped "pet" bear is spotted in Hoosier National Forest. (Associated Press) |
| 01/24/02 | Bound Brook, NJ | Freedom-seeking "pet" iguana is blamed for knocking over heat lamp that ignites fire that damages apartment complex. (Associated Press) |
| 01/17/02 | Gentry, AR | 2 animal handlers at Wild Wilderness Drive Thru Safari are attacked while transferring cougars between cages. 1 handler receives multiple bites on arm and leg, and other is bitten in face. (Associated Press) |
| 01/17/02 | Hollywood, FL | 12-yr-old boy loses tip of finger when his "pet" iguana bites it off. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 01/16/02 | Bayview, TX | Body of "pet" giraffe, Winnie, is found drowned 2 weeks after she escapes from her enclosure on ranch that sells tours. (Monitor) |
| 01/16/02 | Newark, DE | Body of 42-yr-old man who lived with 7 Nile Monitor lizards is discovered being eaten by his "pets." (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 01/14/02 | Palm Beach, FL | 31-yr-old man is bitten by captive Diamondback rattlesnake. He receives treatment at nearby hospital. (Sun-Sentinel) |
| 01/12/02 | James City, VA | "Pet" Arizona desert king snake escapes enclosure and is still roaming James River Elementary School. (Daily Press) |
| 01/10/02 | Knoxville, TN | "Pet" monkey accused of biting neighbor is held pending investigation. (KUSI-TV Channel 51) |
| 01/01/02 | Arroyo Hondo, NM | 61-yr-old woman is killed by her son's "pet" wolf-hybrid. (Albuquerque Journal) |
| 12/17/01 | New Orleans, LA | Police are on lookout for 3 poisonous snakes stolen from apartment on New Year's Eve. (Times-Picayune) |
| 12/10/01 | West Haven, CT | 25-yr-old is bitten by his poisonous "pet" cobra snake. Man is hospitalized for several days while undergoing anti-venom treatment and surgery may be required to repair damage done by venom. (Associated Press) |
| 12/09/01 | Gaithersburg, MD | 6-ft "pet" boa constrictor is recovered from neighbor's basement several weeks after reported missing from its aquarium. (Washington Post) |
| 12/06/01 | Davie, FL | 7-yr-old boy is taken to hospital for stitches after being attacked and bitten "bone-deep" on neck by 40-lb declawed African serval at PepsiCo International picnic. Child is walking by when unattended serval leaps on him and knocks him to ground. Pangaea Productions hired to bring serval and other animals to event as entertainment. (Associated Press) |
| 12/01/01 | Forsyth County, NC | 6-yr-old child may lose her leg after attack by 2 "pet" wolves or wolf-hybrids. (WXII-TV (PAX) - www.wxii12.com) |
| 11/30/01 | Oak Harbor, WA | Exotic "pet" serval and 2 "pet" emus are loose after house where they were being kept catches fire. (Herald of Everett) |
| 11/28/01 | South Bend, IN | Loose "pet" wolf-hybrid is captured without incident and turned over to Humane Society. (Tribune) |
| 11/23/01 | San Diego, CA | 18-month-old "pet" zebra is killed after it escapes onto suburban highway and is struck by 70-yr-old man. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 10/26/01 | Cleveland, OH | "Pet" monkey at bar bites woman on both hands, inflicting 16 puncture wounds. (Cleveland Plain Dealer) |
| 10/23/01 | Gainesville, FL | Man bitten by coral snake is in stable condition after receiving antivenin. It is uncertain how man came to be bitten by snake, but it is presumed that snake was his "pet." (Associated Press) |
| 10/16/01 | Newport News, VA | 6-ft python is found outside woman's home. Snake apparently escaped from his enclosure. This was 3rd snake escape in same week. (Daily Press) |
| 10/15/01 | Johnson County, MO | "Pet" monkey escapes and is loose. (KMBC-TV Channel 9 (ABC)) |
| 10/13/01 | Dallas, TX | 2 rhinos battle at Brownsville Zoo, resulting in death of 1 and serious injury to maintenance worker. Female rhinoceros and 2 male rhinos are mistakenly put together in exhibit meant to have 2 females and 1 male. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 10/10/01 | Jacksonville, FL | 10-1/2-ft albino boa snake latches onto wrist of man and will not let go. Snake is killed while man is freed. (The Florida Times-Union) |
| 10/06/01 | Lexington, TX | 3-yr-old boy is killed by his step-grandfather's "pet" tiger. Tiger grabs boy's foot and takes off running. (American Statesman) |
| 10/05/01 | Providence, RI | 7-ft alligator, Boots, escapes from chain-link-fenced yard at his home for 2nd time in 2 months. Boots is found sauntering down street. (Providence Journal-Bulletin) |
| 10/05/01 | Merced, CA | Man's "pet" Burmese python escapes from his cage and eats same man's 30-lb pit-bull terrier puppy. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 10/04/01 | Orlando, FL | 13-ft king cobra is found in garage underneath cabinet. After 4 hours of trying to capture snake, homeowner shoots snake. Possessor is ticketed for failing to keep snake in safe and secure environment. (The Deseret News and St. Petersburg Times) |
| 10/03/01 | Alexandria, VA | Python is found slithering along sidewalk. (Washington Post) |
| 10/03/01 | Pompano, FL | Woman is bitten by 5-ft Monaco cobra snake and falls into coma. Snake's possessor does not have permit to keep snake and does not accompany woman to hospital to inform medical personnel what type of antivenin to use. Possessor is charged with 4 misdemeanors for owning and storing the snake improperly. (Orlando Sentinel, Sun-Sentinel) |
| 09/27/01 | Pittsburgh, PA | "Pet" serval Mr. Bigglesworth escapes from his house again (see 08/02/01) and is spotted in several different locations throughout area. He is captured 2 weeks later and his possessor will relinquish him to sanctuary. (Associated Press) |
| 09/13/01 | Palm Harbor, FL | Man is bitten on hand by coral snake. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 09/09/01 | Richfield, WI | 33-yr-old man is bitten by 2 of his "pet" poisonous snakes while attempting to clean their cages. He is bitten on right forearm by Indian cobra and on left index finger by Egyptian cobra. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 09/02/01 | Danville, NH | Monkey is spotted several times roaming area. It is believed monkey is endangered species from South America, kept illegally as someone's "pet." (Union Leader, Associated Press) |
| 08/31/01 | Arlington, VA | 7-ft "pet" boa constrictor escapes its cage and is later captured. (Arlington Animal Watch) |
| 08/27/01 | Boynton Beach, FL | 12-ft python escapes and is loose for more than 3 weeks. Snake is found on 09/19/01 in neighbor's backyard. (Sun-Sentinel) |
| 08/26/01 | McGregor, MN | Cougar is killed after she attacks dog. Next morning 2 lion cubs appear in same area and are captured. It is suspected lion and cubs were "pets" and were released in central Minnesota by owner. (Associated Press) |
| 08/26/01 | Charlton County, GA | 18-yr-old girl dies from venomous snake bite. Girl is doing laundry in her home when snake crawls through vent and bites her. (Associated Press) |
| 08/23/01 | Leavenworth County, KS | "Pet" bear bites 31-yr-old man on his right inside forearm. (Kansas City Star) |
| 08/22/01 | Knoxville, TN | 40-yr-old elephant, Mamie, spooked by something she sees, breaks free from her handlers and injures 2 elephant handlers. She breaks through metal gate and charges onto wood patio. Patio not designed to hold her weight begins to break, upsetting her more. Injured employees suffer head gashes and 1 broken rib. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 08/22/01 | Irwin, PA | 8-yr-old girl dies after her family's 10-ft "pet" Burmese python escapes from its tank, wraps around her neck and suffocates her. Snake is 1 of 5 "pet" snakes owned by family. Girl's father is charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and child endangerment; girl's mother is charged with child endangerment. (Scripps Howard News Service, Associated Press, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) |
| 08/19/01 | Richmond, TX | Black panther jumps into neighborhood backyard and kills family's dog. It is suspected panther belonged to former neighbor from whom several exotic "pets" previously escaped. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 08/18/01 | Leavenworth County, KS | "Pet" lion bites woman trying to feed peaches to some bears. (Kansas City Star) |
| 08/13/01 | London, KY | "Pet" monkey bites 6-yr-old girl on arm during county festival. Monkey sleeps with possessor's daughter. (Herald Leader) |
| 08/10/01 | Clearwater, FL | 11-ft Burmese python, Jake, escapes from his backyard cage and is loose for 2 days. Snake will remain in custody of "reptile trapper" who caught snake pending outcome of investigation into captive living conditions and what led to his escape. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 08/03/01 | Hannibal, MO | "Pet" iguana, Elvis, escapes backyard after he is let out to sunbathe. Elvis is found 2 weeks later in tree. (Associated Press) |
| 08/02/01 | Pittsburgh, PA | "Pet" African serval, Mr. Bigglesworth, escapes his home. (Ananova) |
| 08/01/01 | Knoxville, TN | "Pet" Burmese python, Pete, escapes his cage and wanders block to nursery where he is found on bench. This is Pete's 2nd escape in 3 days. See incident of 07/27/01. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 07/31/01 | California | "Pet" serval, Paka, is found walking along side of freeway. She is declawed. She now resides at PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) Sanctuary in Galt, CA. (PAWS Newsletter) |
| 07/31/01 | Center Hill, FL | 500-lb male Siberian tiger at Savage Kingdom breaks into adjoining cage and fatally mauls workman who is there to make repairs. Tiger is shot by park's operator. (Associated Press) |
| 07/27/01 | Knoxville, TN | "Pet" Burmese python, Pete, escapes through window and appears more than mile away on house porch. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 07/25/01 | Berkeley County, WV | "Pet" monkey bites 3 children and is placed under quarantine while tested for diseases. Monkey tests negative for hepatitis B. (The Herald-Mail Online, Associated Press) |
| 07/22/01 | Oxon Hill, MD | 3-ft alligator is found in creek frightening nearby neighbors. Since alligators are not native to Maryland and are illegal to own in Maryland, animal is suspected of being released or escaping from its owner. (Washington Times) |
| 07/06/01 | Racine, WI | Tiger at B.E.A.R.C.A.T. Hollow pushes his way out of pen and grabs 7-yr-old girl, inflicting 2 puncture wounds. Park was closed to public but girl and her mother were allowed in to take fund-raising pictures. (Associated Press) |
| 07/05/01 | Denver, CO | "Pet" wallaby escapes his possessor's lawn by digging under fence. (Wallabies not allowed to be kept in Denver.) (www.ABCNews.com) |
| 07/04/01 | South Carolina | Man is bitten by his "pet" Asiatic spitting cobra and is flown to Florida hospital for antivenin. (www.MSNBC.com) |
| 07/03/01 | Hannibal, MO | "Pet" iguana escapes through dryer vent and roams neighborhood. (Associated Press) |
| 07/01/01 | Shelby Township, MI | 3-1/2-ft alligator is discovered in retention pond across street from water park. Police suspect that alligator was exotic "pet" of private owner that escaped or was abandoned. (The Detroit News) |
| 06/12/01 | Muncie, IN | Iguana hides in tree for nearly 1 month before animal catchers are able to capture it. It is believed iguana was someone's "pet." (Associated Press) |
| 06/10/01 | Ridgeland, MS | 1-yr-old "pet" vervet (African green monkey) bites and scratches child. Vervet had previously bitten another child. (MS Animal Rescue League) |
| 05/18/01 | Austin, TX | Monkeys escape their cages at Austin Zoo and attack woman visitor, biting and scratching her. Woman receives stitches and tetanus shot. (Yahoo.com) |
| 05/17/01 | Little Torch Key, FL | "Pet" mountain lion escaped from her enclosure and is seen roaming neighborhood. Mountain lion is captured and returned to her enclosure. (News Barometer — Sheriff's Blotter) |
| 05/12/01 | Beloit, WI | 10-ft python escapes his homemade glass cage and crawls into bed of 5-yr-old boy. Snake clamps onto boy's hand and coils around his arm. Boy is treated for bruising and fang cuts. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) |
| 04/25/01 | Vallejo, CA | 4 "pet" Alaskan wolves escape their enclosure and attack neighbor woman. Wolves tear her clothes but she escapes injury. (Fairfield Daily Republic) |
| 04/21/01 | Jackson County, IL | 4-yr-old boy is mauled to death by wolf-hybrid. Wolf-hybrid bites boy several times and severs his jugular vein. (Southern Illinoisan) |
| 04/10/01 | Hillboro, MO | 3 chimpanzees wander out from behind unlocked fence at ChimParty, facility that rents primates for parties and commercials. 1 chimp is shot by neighbor who feels threatened by animals; animal later euthanized. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 03/25/01 | Todd County, MN | Man is mauled by "pet" bear while fixing corn crib used to cage bear. (Associated Press) |
| 03/25/01 | Las Vegas, NV | Jagger, Bengal tiger working with Wildlife Safari, kills trainer and injures his owner while being prepared for advertising photography shoot. (Kingman Daily Miner) |
| 03/23/01 | Sequim, WA | Zebra bites arm of 3-yr-old boy attempting to feed bread to llamas through car window at Olympic Game Farm. Boy pulled from vehicle and dragged until rescued by relative. Stitches required to close wound on arm. (Spokesman Review) |
| 03/19/01 | Morgan County, MO | Simba, 80-100 lb African lion, escapes his home and roams neighborhood. This is not first time Simba has escaped. See 11/29/00. (Kansas City Star) |
| 03/08/01 | Olmsted, OH | Volunteer at Burnette Farm and Education Center attacked by Siberian tiger as he shovels gravel in animal's cage. Man suffered life-threatening injuries from bite on neck. (Akron Beacon Journal) |
| 03/01/01 | Wilson County, TX | "Pet" lion cub escapes his home and roams neighborhood. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 03/01/01 | New York, NY | 3-ft California King "pet" snake slithers up 4 flights of stairs and into apartment, attacking sleeping child. 3-yr-old is rushed to nearby Mount Sinai Hospital. (New York Post) |
| 02/28/01 | Menifee, CA | Wolf-hybrid attacks 9-yr-old boy playing with animal. Boy's bites require 20 stitches. (The Press Enterprise) |
| 02/07/01 | Miami, FL | "Pet" jungle cat escapes his enclosure and is returned to his possessor. (WSVN-TV, Channel 7 (FOX)) |
| 02/05/01 | New Milford, NJ | 4-ft crocodile is seized in apartment by animal control authorities who find it in lidless tank. (Associated Press) |
| 01/24/01 | Santa Clara, CA | 10-yr-old vervet monkey, Oliver, bites owner while she feeds him. Oliver has bitten her on previous occasions. (Santa Clara Valley Humane Society) |
| 01/11/01 | Las Vegas, NV | "Pet" cougar escapes his home and is found on top of school bus. No students in bus at time of incident. (KVBC-TV) |
| 01/03/01 | Boerne, TX | Non-native exotic black cat is spotted roaming neighborhood. Cat is suspected of being escaped exotic "pet." (Houston Chronicle) |
| 12/22/00 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Wolf-hybrid escapes and is loose in Fort Lauderdale for more than 3 weeks. (Miami Herald) |
| 12/15/00 | Wynnewood, OK | 2 children find 9-ft alligator in pond. Alligator is captured and transferred to local exotic animal park. Alligator is presumed to be somebody's "pet." (The Oklahoman) |
| 12/06/00 | Millard County, UT | 2 baby tigers found wandering along side of state road. Cubs are confiscated and returned to owner in Kansas. (Salt Lake Tribune) |
| 12/01/00 | Oklahoma City, OK | 5-yr-old Capuchin monkey bites boy at Home Depot. Monkey is taken to shelter to be tested for any communicable diseases and is released after testing negative. (Daily Oklahoman and KOKH-TV, Channel 25 (Fox)) |
| 11/29/00 | Morgan County, MO | Simba, 80-100 lb African lion, escapes his enclosure. He kills family dog and 6 puppies and then traps small child in room. Boy is rescued through window. Possessor is charged with child endangerment. (Kansas City Star) |
| 11/27/00 | Beaver County, PA | "Pet" monkey is loose in Independence Township. (KDKA-TV, Channel 2 (CBS)) |
| 11/18/00 | Mayflower, AK | "Pet" wolf attacks neighbor's dog. Wolf is found standing over dog which is covered in blood and motionless. This is not first time wolf has been involved in attack. Wolf was seen chasing 2 children and previously attacked same dog. (Log Cabin Democrat) |
| 11/16/00 | Grayslake, IL | "Pet" arctic fox is found roaming neighborhood. Fox has collar and is litter box trained. (News Sun) |
| 11/15/00 | Murray, UT | "Pet" deer escapes and is loose in streets. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources states deer can not remain in wild and that owner must recapture animal. (KUTV-TV, Channel 2 (CBS)) |
| 11/07/00 | Augusta, GA | 4-ft python is found on woman's back patio. Snake escaped from neighboring house. (Augusta Chronicle) |
| 11/07/00 | Silver Springs, FL | 11-ft Burmese python is found along busy state highway. Snake was run over by car and rescued by passerby. Snake is probably abandoned "pet." (Miami Herald) |
| 11/04/00 | Kingsbury, CA | "Pet" bobcat roams around neighborhood after jumping into garbage can near hotel. Bobcat is thin and declawed. (Associated Press) |
| 10/31/00 | Worcester, PA | Health officials link 11 cases of E. coli infection in children to petting zoo at Merrymead Farm. 8 children are hospitalized, and 6 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney damage. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 10/21/00 | Seattle, WA | "Pet" bobcat escapes from exotic "pet" show after her cage slips off cart and cage opens. Cat is last seen roaming Eastside neighborhood and is subsequently captured. (King 5) |
| 10/21/00 | Gambier, OH | Tiger at Siberian Tiger Foundation bites 10-yr-old boy on leg. Boy and his father had paid to enter compound for "close encounter" with Siberian tigers chained to posts. Boy treated at local hospital and released. According to USDA, 10 instances of people being injured by tigers occurred in previous 9-month period at this facility. (Columbus Dispatch) |
| 10/19/00 | Arlington, TX | "Pet" panther is loose and is spotted on 3 separate occasions throughout residential neighborhood. (Arlington Morning News) |
| 10/09/00 | Evansville, IN | Emu is found shot to death on creek bank. It is suspected that emu is someone's pet. (www.APBnews.com) |
| 10/09/00 | Greenville, NC | On side of road, woman finds bag which contains boa constrictor. Snake is probably abandoned "pet." (WLOS-TV (ABC)) |
| 09/30/00 | Rowan County, NC | Black leopard club and tiger cub are loose after escaping their cages when truck carrying them is involved in accident. (WBTV-TV, CBS) |
| 09/28/00 | Birmingham, AL | 2 lions escape farm and kill several animals. Both lions are killed. (WIAT-TV, CBS) |
| 09/16/00 | Tulsa, OK | Monkey, Barney, injures child at motel. Monkey either bites or scratches 4-yr-old girl's cheek. Barney's possessor is staying in room adjacent to girl's room. (Tulsa World) |
| 09/13/00 | Mapleton, KS | 75-yr-old woman is killed by "pet" deer she raised from infancy. (Spokesman Review) |
| 09/08/00 | Albuquerque, NM | Tiger cub being used in petting zoo at New Mexico State Fair bites man on arm as man is having his picture taken with cub. Visitor treated for minor injuries. (KOB-TV Channel 4 (NBC) Albuquerque) |
| 09/01/00 | Salina, KS | Emu gets loose and injures animal control officer. Animal control officer was attempting to subdue bird by tranquilizer gun. However, officer is injured and bird subsequently dies. (Topeka Capital-Journal) |
| 08/25/00 | Pleasant Hills, PA | Iguana is loose for more than two months. Neighbors have seen iguana, but no one is able to capture him. (Pittsburgh Pose-Gazette) |
| 08/15/00 | Springfield, OH | Police receive 15 to 20 reports of sighting a mountain lion loose in neighborhood. Officials believe animal is someone's "pet" and has been reclaimed. (Akron Beacon Journal) |
| 08/03/00 | Sprague, WV | "Pet" chimpanzee, Herbie, gets loose from cage and bites 2 individuals while roaming neighborhood. Herbie is subdued and returned to owner's home. In 1998, Herbie tried to take driver's seat of postal truck, causing truck to slam into parked vehicle. (News Wire) |
| 08/01/00 | Southwest Ranches, FL | "Pet" monkey, Mikey, bites 2 teenage girls after he escapes from home. Girls sustain bites to arms and faces. (Miami Herald) |
| 08/01/00 | San Angelo, TX | Monkey, Ted E. Bear, bites owner and is subsequently shot and killed by owner. Owner is treated at hospital and subsequently released. This monkey previously bit man in 01/09/98 incident. (San Angelo Standard Times) |
| 07/20/00 | Kansasville, WI | "Pet" snow monkey escapes from his home and attacks 73-yr-old neighbor, biting him on both legs. Then monkey jumps into post office truck, attacking and biting female postal worker. Both people are treated at hospital and released. Monkey is euthanized and tested for Herpes B. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) |
| 07/20/00 | Little River County, AR | Large snake terrorizes town of Wallace. Snake is suspected to be 10- or 12-ft python reportedly set free in May by its owner. Snake is linked to deaths of several small cats, small dogs, and frogs. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) |
| 07/18/00 | Brisbane, CA | 15-ft, 130-lb "pet" python named Kevin is found near railroad tracks after being left in 40-gallon trash can by his owner. (Sacramento Bee) |
| 07/12/00 | Platte County, MO | Neighbor's "pet" rhesus monkey jumps on shoulder of young boy and bites his arm. (The Kansas City Star) |
| 07/01/00 | Kansas City, MO | "Pet" chimpanzee bites child and then picks up another child and throws her. Jackson County Animal Control takes chimpanzee into custody and owner is arrested. (KHSB TV) |
| 07/01/00 | Anne Arundel County, MD | Authorities seize "pet" monkey after he bites someone in bar where his possessor had taken him. (American Lawyer Media) |
| 06/30/00 | Louisville, KY | "Pet" vervet, Angelica, bites her possessor on neck and goes for jugular, leaving puncture wounds in possessor's neck. (Texas Snow Monkey Sanctuary) |
| 06/14/00 | Houston, TX | Neither owner wants custody of "pet" mountain lion after recent divorce so they leave lion chained to tree behind house. Animal is taken to humane society. (Wall Street Journal) |
| 06/09/00 | Richmondtown, NY | Man finds 4-ft-5-in. alligator in Staten Island stream. Alligator is rescued from stream and sent to animal keeper in Pennsylvania. Officials believe alligator was someone's "pet." (Associated Press) |
| 06/08/00 | Everett, WA | Health officials link 6 cases of E. coli infection in children to The Farm petting zoo. 3 children hospitalized. Bacterium apparently spread by water in bucket in which children washed their hands. (Associated Press) |
| 06/06/00 | Greenville, OH | 4 boys stumble across dead 5-ft snake next to Greenville Creek. Snake is assumed to have been someone's "pet" released into wild. (Columbus Dispatch) |
| 06/05/00 | Harris County, TX | Bengal tiger escapes from cage and is found wandering down neighboring street. Owner is out of town at time of incident. (Eyewitness News Tonight — KTRK-TV Channel 13) | 06/01/00 | Greenfield, WI | 22-yr-old man is charged with 9 counts of animal cruelty after police seize 1 cougar, 1 black leopard, 13 chinchillas, 3 prairie dogs, 12 pythons, and other animals. Animals live in filthy conditions. Animals are taken away and local authorities seek homes for them. (Journal Sentinel) |
| 06/01/00 | Wisconsin | "Pet" capuchin attacks his possessor. Monkey grabs can of deck sealant to throw, then drops can and leaps on man, biting his stomach. Monkey has history of biting. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 06/01/00 | Washington, DC | Burmese python was found in toilet in apartment. (Washington Post) |
| 06/01/00 | Katy, TX | Mountain lion and 2 bobcats are found in cages behind house. Animals are malnourished and it is unknown how long animals have been abandoned. (KPRC News) |
| 05/31/00 | Bayview, ID | 5 wolf-hybrids are found neglected at woman's home. Hybrids are living in squalor along with 12 other dogs. Some of these hybrids previously attacked and killed neighbor dog and charged at neighbor. (Spokesman Review) |
| 05/30/00 | Columbia, MD | "Pet" spider monkey escapes from its home and roams neighborhood. Woman sees monkey in her tree, goes to feed monkey piece of bread, and monkey charges after her, grabs bread and bites woman on upper left thigh. Monkey is not captured. (Washington Post) |
| 05/28/00 | Pensacola, FL | Orangutan at The Zoo escapes through cage door left unlocked and then attacks and bites keeper who tries to coax animal back inside. Keeper treated at local hospital for bruises and 5 bite wounds to knee. (Pensacola News Journal) |
| 05/20/00 | Madison, AL | 15-yr-old boy is bitten on left index finger by "pet" copperhead snake. Boy is taken to hospital for treatment and subsequently released. Also found in boy's room are pythons, boas, alligator, and South American Crocodile. (Huntsville Times) |
| 05/18/00 | Kiowa, CO | Bengal tiger at Prairie Wind Animal Refuge tears arm off volunteer who sticks her arm in animal's cage to demonstrate that visitors can safely pet tigers at refuge. Refuge operates photo safari program where some animals are released from their cages and allowed to roam with visitors. (Denver Rocky Mountain News) |
| 05/17/00 | Keystone Point, FL | "Pet" African serval escapes from his home and scares neighboring family before he is captured and returned. (Miami-Dade) |
| 05/16/00 | Buffalo, NY | Man is bitten on hand by his poisonous Gabon viper and is rushed to emergency room to receive antivenin. Man also possesses 8-ft, 250-lb alligator and numerous other venomous snakes. (Buffalo News) |
| 05/04/00 | Brewster, MA | Bengal tiger at Bassett Wild Animal Farm attacks teenage worker when girl enters cage's feeding area, apparently unaware trap door was open. Girl treated for puncture wounds to leg. (USA Today) |
| 05/01/00 | New Berlin, WI | 4-1/2-ft boa constrictor escapes from owner's car through window. Car is parked in front of Elementary school. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) |
| 03/27/00 | Murphy, AR | Former Little Rock Zoo Director, David Westbrook, is bitten by his "pet" rattlesnake. Westbrook owns 48 snakes, 6 of which are venomous. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) |
| 03/27/00 | Sand Creek, MI | Honda, 200-lb "pet" black bear, escapes from barn where he is kept. Owner purchased bear 2 days before incident. (Toledo Blade) |
| 03/15/00 | Anne Arundel County, MD | "Pet" wolf-hybrid mauls 6-yr-old boy. Wolf-hybrid, Cheyenne, escapes from cage, jumps into neighbor's yard, and attacks boy. Boy requires 80 stitches to his arm. (WJLA ABC News) |
| 02/13/00 | Channelview, TX | "Pet" Bengal tiger tears off 4-yr-old boy's arm. Boy's arm is severed just above elbow by caged tiger housed in backyard of boy's uncle's house. Boy stuck his arm through gap in tiger's chain-link cage. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 01/20/00 | Lansing, IL | 9 year-old Macaque monkey, Zip, attacks his owner. Zip latches fangs into woman's head, arms, and legs. She spends 10 days in hospital and loses 1-1/2 pints of blood. Zip is euthanized. Zip had previously bit the woman and attacked family dog. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 01/15/00 | San Jose, CA | Asian water monitor lizard escapes from his cage and roams surrounding neighborhood. (San Jose Mercury News) |
| 01/05/00 | Palm Harbor, FL | "Pet" spider monkey escapes from his cage, finds his way to neighborhood park and attacks Siberian husky. Husky requires surgery to repair artery and tendon injuries. While dog, dog's owner is bitten by monkey. (Associated Press) |
| 12/22/99 | Cut and Shoot, TX | 1 of 6 elephants escapes and wanders onto neighboring property and presses against family's sliding glass door, then crashes through fence to return. Elephant is owned by Bill Swain, who books elephants, lamas, and camels at performances throughout country, under name of Trunks and Humps, Inc. (Houston Chronicle, Las Vegas Sun) |
| 12/22/99 | Port Orange, FL | 32-yr-old man dies after his 12-1/2-ft reticulated python bites him. Python grabs man's forehead and then wraps himself around man's body, suffocating him. (United Press International) |
| 12/18/99 | Oneida, OH | "Pet" cougar, Grace, escapes from her cage and attacks neighbor's dog. (Grace pushes past her owner when he feeds her breakfast.) Dog survives. Grace is shot and killed. (Repository) |
| 12/12/99 | Van Nuys, CA | L.A. Zoo volunteer dies after "pet" Gaboon viper bites her. Woman lives in home with 12 snakes, 10 of them dangerous, and 6 flesh-eating piranha fish. She is found with 2 puncture wounds on back of hand. Viper has longest fangs of any snake, according to Los Angeles Zoo officials. (The Orange County Register) |
| 12/09/99 | Rancho Bernardo, CA | "Pet" spider monkey escapes from his home and roams neighborhood for 2 hours. Monkey frightens residents, eludes police, and bites animal control officer. (San Diego Union-Tribune) |
| 12/03/99 | Hernando County, FL | Homemade trap captures "pet" cougar missing for more than 10 months. Cougar had been eating livestock in area. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 11/23/99 | Wayne County, MO | "Pet" lion chained at owner's home attacks 5-yr-old boy. Boy receives puncture wounds on throat and head. Lion is euthanized. (Jefferson City News Tribune) |
| 11/05/99 | Des Moines, IO | "Pet" rhesus monkey, Nicky, is found running around neighborhood. Animal Control captures monkey and quarantines animal. Shortly after blood samples are taken from Nicky, he bites handler. (Des Moines Register) |
| 11/01/99 | Hammond, LA | 6-ft Burmese python escapes after owner forgets to latch its cage. Python is found several days later under car by 9-yr-old boy. No one is hurt and python is returned to its owner. (Sun Herald, Associated Press) |
| 10/27/99 | Euless, TX | "Pet" Capuchin monkey bites elderly woman. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 10/20/99 | Hernando, FL | 6-yr-old girl is attacked by "pet" cougar while playing outside friend's house. Cougar is on 8-ft chain leash bolted to floor when he grabs hold of girl. Girl requires 12 stitches. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 10/04/99 | Evansville, IN | Lion at Mesker Park Zoo mauls zookeeper, causing severe injury to right arm. Keeper was attempting to move lion to outdoor exhibit when attack occurred. (Evansville Courier & Press) |
| 09/30/99 | Dallas, TX | Elephant walks out of her performance at Texas State Fair and into intersection filled with spectators, causing traffic jam. |
| 09/22/99 | Tarpon Springs, FL | "Pet" wallaby is on run after escaping from her pen. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 08/30/99 | Northern New Jersey | Man bitten by his snake is found slumped at bottom of stairwell, unconscious and foaming at the mouth, by 4 year-old daughter. (Associated Press) |
| 08/29/99 | Des Plaines, IL | "Pet" African serval cat roams city for 1 day before authorities capture it and return it to its owner. (Chicago Sun-Times) |
| 08/15/99 | Centralia, IL | African rock python escapes from unlocked cage and asphyxiates 3-yr-old boy. Python is family "pet." Parents of boy are charged with child endangerment and unlawful possession of dangerous animal. (www.APBNews.com) |
| 08/14/99 | West Covina, CA | "Pet" chimp, Moe, bites finger of 43-yr-old woman after she sticks her finger in his cage during visit. Same chimp bit 4 people on 08/05/98. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 08/06/99 | Clermont, IA | Black bear cub with Swenson's Wild Midwest Exotic Petting Zoo taken to barnwarming where it reportedly nips people. Bear dies 2 weeks later of rabies after having potentially infected more than 400 people. (Centers for Disease Control) |
| 08/05/99 | Fruitland Park, FL | Man's 13-ft "pet" python squeezes his 18-month-old son nearly to death after it slithers into backyard. Boy is bitten in face and requires plastic surgery to repair damage to his eye. Python is subsequently destroyed by animal control officer. (Miami Herald) |
| 08/01/99 | Bellevue, NE | "Pet" monkey bites police officer on leg. Monkey has history of biting people. (Omaha World-Herald) |
| 07/30/99 | Chicago, IL | 12-ft "pet" snake escapes from its home and is found in neighbor's yard. (Chicago Sun-Times) |
| 07/28/99 | Kissimmee, FL | "Pet" monkey escapes from his cage by chewing rope used to hold cage door shut and roams neighborhood. Monkey jumps on 13-yr-old boy's leg, scratching him. Monkey then bites police officer and pulls hair of another before he is captured. (Orlando Sentinel) |
| 07/01/99 | Gaithersburg, MD | Terrier, Dusty, is attacked by 12-ft snake in his backyard. Authorities believe snake is "pet" that escaped from its cage. Dusty is not seriously injured; however, neighbor subsequently shoots snake. ( The Washington Post) |
| 06/19/99 | Stonybrook, PA | "Pet" python escapes from its home. Python is found later same day. (Bucks County Courier Times) |
| 06/10/99 | Wichita, KS | Tiger at Safari Zoological Park bites woman when she sticks arm inside cage. Woman is hospitalized for injuries and receives rabies shots. (Wichita Eagle) |
| 06/10/99 | DeLand, FL | Monitor lizard measuring almost 6 feet is loose in residential neighborhood. Police shoot lizard. Reptile suspected to be someone's "pet." (Dayton Beach News) |
| 06/06/99 | New Castle County, DE | 45-yr-old man is found dead in his apartment from apparent rattlesnake bite from 1 of 15 "pet" snakes. Man is found 10 feet from open, empty snake tank. Man had been feeding animal when bitten. Animal control officers remove 8 rattlesnakes, 2 king cobras, 2 corn snakes, 1 desert snake, and 2 others not identified, from man's apartment. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 06/02/99 | Yorktown, TX | Male tiger jumps on 10-yr-old girl who enters cage with stepfather to groom animal. Girl is dragged through cage and dies of head and neck injuries. Stepfather took tiger to exotic animal shows and had applied for USDA exhibitor license at time of attack. (Associated Press) |
| 05/14/99 | Mesa, AZ | "Pet" monkey escapes from backyard and lunges at couple in neighboring yard. Owner of monkey has 4 macaques and 1 capuchin. This is one of many escapes of owner's "pet" monkeys. (Arizona Republic) |
| 05/12/99 | Rexburg, ID | Bear bites employee at drive-through animal park, Yellowstone Bear World. Woman treated for minor injuries. (Associated Press) |
| 05/09/99 | Bethune, SC | After riding elephant named Flora, trainer tries to get off but falls under elephant, who steps on her. Trainer is flown to hospital and suffers broken leg. Another trainer, working with Flora at time, is not injured. (Associated Press) |
| 04/15/99 | Idaho Falls, ID | Woman goes to hospital after monkey bites her. Monkey is in cage and bites her when she reaches through cage. (Police Log) |
| 04/10/99 | Punta Gorda Isles, FL | "Pet" monkey is loose in mobile home park and acts aggressively toward residents in area. Police officer uses 12-gauge shotgun to shoot 2-ft rhesus monkey. (Sarasota Herald Tribune) |
| 04/02/99 | Pearland, TX | Tiger at roadside zoo attacks and injures handler. |
| 03/31/99 | Glen Burnie, MD | 2-yr-old male Bonnett macaque, Jamie, bites woman on her lip at local tavern which touches off brawl. Jamie has been involved in 7 biting incidents and owners have been given 3 written warnings and have been fined twice as result of Jamie's behavior. Prior to 03/31/99 incident, animal control officers label Jamie dangerous and order him restricted from public contact. Jamie is taken away from her owners and is in custody of Frisky's Wildlife and Primate Refuge. (Baltimore Sun) |
| 03/16/99 | Tyler, TX | Tiger at animal compound attacks volunteer when she reaches in cage to pet animal. Woman's arm is nearly severed. |
| 03/03/99 | Colorado Springs, CO | Leopard at Colorado Springs Zoo bites 6-yr-old on face and neck when boy leans into animal's cage. (Reuters) |
| 02/28/99 | Gary, IN | 16-ft, 150-lb python bites pet store employee on arm, sending him to hospital. 3 people needed to free employee from snake's grip. Employee is released from hospital with no stitches, only puncture marks, from non-poisonous snake. (Post-Tribune) |
| 01/27/99 | Salt Lake City, UT | 2 chimpanzees at Hogle Zoo escape and attack 2 employees, critically injuring 1. 1 employee had no training in working with primates and other only limited experience with chimps. (Salt Lake City Tribune) |
| 01/13/99 | Jackson, NJ | Tiger loose for several hours is shot and killed by sharpshooters after tranquilizer darts miss. Tiger believed to be privately owned. (Associated Press) |
| 01/11/99 | Tampa, FL | "Pet" Capuchin monkey, Angel, while apparently kissing and hugging her owner, starts nipping woman under her chin. As woman attempts to put Angel back in her cage, Angel attacks and bites woman 50 times. Woman suffers bites to hands, arms, and right leg, and requires stitches on right knee. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 01/07/99 | Phoenix, AZ | Phoenix man is bitten to death by "pet" rattlesnake. Man also possessed several boas and other snakes in house. (Arizona Republic) |
| 01/01/99 | Wichita, KS | Tiger cub from Safari Zoological Park bites throat of 5-yr-old boy at private residence where tiger is taken following television appearance. Boy receives 29 stitches to close wound. (Wichita Eagle) |
| 12/29/98 | Clarksburg, NJ | 431-lb Bengal tiger escapes from Tigers Only Preservation Society, 12-acre compound declared illegal by New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. Dozens of police and some helicopters descend upon residential community near compound to corral tiger, who they ultimately shoot. Owner of facility and self-proclaimed Tiger Lady denies cat is hers. (The Star-Ledger) |
| 12/01/98 | Chiefland, FL | Siberian tiger cub is found alongside highway after apparently falling or jumping from trailer. Veterinarian at wildlife rehabilitation center finds several sores on cub's body that do not appear consistent with fall onto roadway. (The Herald) |
| 11/13/98 | Wisconsin | Previously healthy 5-month-old boy dies after contracting salmonella from family's "pet" iguana. (CDC) |
| 11/09/98 | Gainesville, FL | 5 weeks after killing trainer, white Bengal tiger kills owner by biting her in neck while she hand-feeds him. Animal performed with Ron and Joy Holiday's Cat Dancers. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 10/08/98 | Cut and Shoot, TX | 2 tigers kept at private residence escape when door to pen is left open. 1 tiger is shot after he kills neighbor's hog. Other tiger attacks dog that is tied to chain. (Reuters) |
| 10/04/98 | Gainesville, FL | Tiger described in 11/09/98 incident kills trainer after being startled while being moved from one cage to another. (Reuters) |
| 09/29/98 | Slidell, LA | "Pet" vervet monkey runs wild, knocks over lamp and attacks owner, biting her arm and scratching her legs. Police officer subdues monkey after monkey attacks him and throws picture frame at him. (Associated Press) |
| 09/06/98 | Gainesville, FL | 5-ft "pet" python bites woman's fingers as she attempts to "pet" snake. Snake knots himself around woman's lower forearm and only lets go when firefighters discharge 3 blasts of carbon dioxide into snake's face. (Boca Raton News) |
| 09/03/98 | Cincinnati, OH | "Pet" cougar is discovered roaming neighborhood after being stolen from his enclosure. (Enquirer) |
| 09/02/98 | Richmond, VA | Boa constrictor is found lying in middle of westbound travel lane of West Grace Street. Police officers called to scene coax snake into Supercan closer. Owner of snake is unknown, but snake is believed to be somebody's "pet." Snake is taken to SPCA to be cared for. (Richmond Times) |
| 08/29/98 | Citrus Park, FL | Black leopard attacks volunteer worker attempting to pet animal through cage at Wildlife on Easy Street. Wounds to arm required 451 stitches to close. (Sarasota Herald Tribune) |
| 08/16/98 | Syracuse, NY | Elephant with Commerford Petting Zoo giving rides at New York State Fair panics, injuring trainer and 3-yr-old who fall from back of animal. (Syracuse Herald) |
| 08/05/98 | West Covina, CA | "Pet" chimp, Moe, goes on 3-hour rampage after escaping from his cage. Moe bites 4 people (2 police officers, 1 animal control officer, and 1 other person). One police officer undergoes surgery after infection develops in his hand as result of bite. (Associated Press) |
| 08/01/98 | Woodbridge, MD | 16-yr-old girl discovers cobra on her back porch as she is letting family dog out. Cobra slithers out from under piece of furniture and hisses and strikes at girl, who escapes into her house. Girl's mother phones police. However, police fail to dispatch officer or animal warden to scene. Girl's father kills cobra. Owner is unknown. (Washington Post) |
| 07/30/98 | Dayton, OH | 15-ft python is found under truck parked at Benham's Caterers and Restaurant. Dayton firefighters are called and place python in trash can. Snake is someone's "pet." Since owner was unknown, Humane Society of Greater Dayton finds man willing to take snake. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 07/24/98 | Bismarck, ND | Bengal tiger with Bridgeport Nature Center mauls 5-yr-old boy at North Dakota State Fair photo shoot. (Associated Press) |
| 07/24/98 | Nassau, NY | 6-ft python is found in woman's fish pond. Police capture snake and place it in custody. Owner is unknown. (Newsday) |
| 07/10/98 | Roosevelt, NY | 8-ft boa constrictor escapes and slithers down street in residential area. Police officers find snake curled underneath car. Snake belongs to someone in neighborhood. Boa constrictor is captured and returned to its tank. (Newsday) |
| 05/22/98 | Carson City, NV | 3-yr-old and 5-yr-old girls are severely bitten by grandfather's "pet" wolf-hybrid. 3-yr-old is in intensive care for 6 nights. Grandfather is sentenced to 6 days in jail and 100 hours of community service for keeping dangerous dog. (Las Vegas Review Journal) |
| 05/02/98 | Wichita, KS | Macaque monkey may have bitten teenager at store promotional event. Monkey is tested for herpes virus. (Wichita Eagle) |
| 04/07/98 | Wylie, TX | Neighbor's "pet" cougar bites 4-yr-old boy on leg while owner is showing cougar to several people. At time of incident, cougar is caged. Boy is treated at hospital for scratches and puncture wounds (Dallas Morning News) |
| 04/02/98 | Charlotte, NC | Lion at Charlotte Metro Zoo attacks and seriously injures worker cleaning animal's cage. Worker suffers puncture wounds to both legs and back of head. (Greensboro News & Record) |
| 02/21/98 | Reform, MO | 600-lb black bear, Big Max, kept as caged pet, severs hand of 6-yr-old boy at his grandfather's farm. Boy is attempting to rub bear's nose at time of incident. Bear has been "pet" for over 10 years. Doctors are able to reattach boy's hand which is connected by only 1-1/2 inches of skin. Big Max is euthanized and tested for rabies. (The Kansas City Star) |
| 02/16/98 | Indio, CA | Elephant named Barbara is being led, along with some camels, to place in Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival parade when marching band spooks her. Barbara bolts back to her pen with Festival Queen Sheherazade on her back. No one is injured. (The Desert Sun) |
| 02/01/98 | Mentor, OH | Circus elephant panics at high school, runs off for quarter mile, damages police car. (Associated Press) |
| 01/29/98 | Plymouth, CT | Man is seriously bitten by his 5-ft "pet" iguana. Man's finger is gnawed to bone. (Bristol Press) |
| 01/09/98 | Chillicothe, OH | Owner of 12-ft, 95-lb python is charged with harboring dangerous animal after several complaints filed. Owner leaves python, Gidget, soaking in bathtub in upstairs apartment. Gidget brushes against faucet and turns water on. Tub overflows and downstairs neighbor calls police. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 12/28/97 | San Angelo, TX | "Pet" Capuchin monkey bites neck of 19-yr-old neighbor man. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 12/15/97 | Charlotte County, FL | Baboon at Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary grabs 6-yr-old girl, inflicting minor injuries. (Sarasota Herald Tribune) |
| 12/11/97 | Sarasota, FL | Lioness at Kissimmee Zoo escapes while handlers fix her cage. Animal recaptured after spending 2 days in swamp near zoo. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 12/03/97 | Washington, DC | Man bitten in left thumb by "pet" viper is rushed to emergency room to receive antivenin. Man requires 14 vials of antivenin. Man was helping snake shed his skin when it bit him. Animal control officers take possession of snake. (Washington Post) |
| 12/01/97 | Triangle, VA | Man is bitten by his Indian cobra while attempting to milk snake for venom. Snake wiggles loose and sinks fang into man's pinkie, injecting lethal venom. Man is rushed to hospital where antivenin saves his life. This is 6th time man has been bitten by 1 of his 10 venomous snakes. All 10 snakes are confiscated by police. (Washington Post) |
| 11/29/97 | "Pet" iguana strikes his possessor in foot. Woman requires 12 stitches. (Living with Reptiles) | |
| 11/27/97 | Flushing, NY | Man's 3-1/2-ft "pet" albino cobra bites him on pinkie finger while he attempts to feed it. Man is treated with snake-bite antidote at local hospital. What happened to snake is unknown. (New York Newsday) |
| 10/31/97 | Madison, WI | 3-ft python, Merlin, reported missing since mid-October, is discovered back home at UW-Madison residence hall. Merlin is found 4 doors down from her room. Merlin has history of disappearing for long periods of time, once for 3 years. UW housing does not allow residents to keep any "pets" except fish in rooms. (Capital Times) |
| 10/23/97 | Superior, WI | 3-ft python is found lounging behind woman's toilet. Woman spotted snake while bending over bathroom sink to wash her hair. Snake will be returned to owner, former tenant in same apartment. (Capital Times) |
| 10/21/97 | Cincinnati, OH | "Pet" bear nips 4-yr-old boy in stomach. Bear belonged to visiting neighbor. Boy is not seriously injured. (Cincinnati Post) |
| 10/15/97 | Dickinson, TX | "Pet" mountain lion escapes from enclosure and roams through Galveston County. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 10/09/97 | Los Angeles, CA | Black panther bites animal trainer, breaking her ankle, during shooting of movie Swiss Family Robinson. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 10/06/97 | Louisville, KY | Police blame loose python for one-car accident that injures snake's owner and owner's friend. 10-ft "pet" python is napping in back seat of car when it awakes and slithers into front seat. While attempting to remove snake, woman drives into median causing her car to flip. Snake is caught and given to woman's father. (Cincinnati Post) |
| 09/27/97 | South Barrington, IL | Baboon attacks 4-yr-old girl at Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm and Petting Zoo, leaving permanent scars on girl's arms. |
| 09/24/97 | Palm Beach, FL | Man is charged with 5 misdemeanor wildlife charges after his "pet" macaque monkey, Ringo, bites girl. One charge includes trying to sell monkey illegally after incident. Ringo harbors herpes B virus. Ringo is to be tested to determine if virus was active. (Sun-Sentinel) |
| 09/24/97 | Everett, WA | 3-ft king cobra bites its owner 2 times. Man is airlifted to hospital and treated with antivenin medication. Snake is later confiscated by animal control officers. It is illegal to own venomous snakes in Everett, WA. (Seattle Times) |
| 09/20/97 | Somers, NY | "Pet" bobcat escapes from owner's home and terrorizes neighborhood rabbit. Bobcat is later found in neighbor's yard. (Reporter Dispatch) |
| 09/11/97 | Southwest Portland, OR | "Pet" Siberian tiger escaped from its cage and frightens 74-yr-old woman. (Oregonian) |
| 08/28/97 | Philadelphia, PA | "Pet" viper sinks its fangs into owner who is rushed to hospital. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 08/17/97 | York Beach, ME | Elephants leased for rides to Wild Animal Kingdom run away from trainer during morning exercises after being startled by truck. (Portland Press Herald) |
| 08/09/97 | Anaheim, CA | 10-yr-old boy is attacked by his "pet" python while changing its water. (Los Angeles Daily News) |
| 08/07/97 | West Hills, CA | 7-1/2-ft boa constrictor escapes its home and eats chihuahua named Babette in dog's back yard. Babette's owner is awarded $1,500 for dog's death. (Akron Beacon Journal) |
| 08/06/97 | Salt Lake City, UT | Gorilla at Hogle Zoo attacks primate supervisor, causing permanent nerve damage to man's left arm. (Deseret News) |
| 07/12/97 | Hartford, CT | "Pet" monkey going for walk breaks free and wanders into neighboring yard. Monkey jumps onto woman's head and grabs her hair and then bites her on arm. (Hartford Courant) |
| 07/10/97 | Pasadena, MD | "Pet" monkey bites 6-yr-old girl on cheek. (Capital-Gazette) |
| 07/03/97 | Pompano Beach, FL | Woman awakes in middle of night with 5-1/2-ft rainbow boa constrictor across shoulders and legs. Police capture boa and take it home to "foster" cage. Presumably snake is lost "pet." (Sun Sentinel) |
| 06/07/97 | Bridgton, ME | "Pet" monkey bites and scratches woman in supermarket checkout line. Same monkey bit child 02/01/96. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 05/28/97 | Scappoose, OR | "Pet" leopard escapes cage and attacks neighbor who is hospitalized with deep puncture wounds to her neck. (Oregonian) |
| 05/08/97 | Gainesville, TX | Elephant at Frank Buck Zoo crushes her handler to death when he enters animal's pen to move her to another pen. (Associated Press) |
| 05/05/97 | Lubbock, TX | 1 of 5 "pet" Bengal tigers mauls owner as he works on its cage. Owner is hospitalized with bites on throat, chest, and abdomen. Son kills tiger. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 05/01/97 | Knox County, TN | "Liger" mauls 4-yr-old boy at Joe Robinson's Farm roadside zoo, when boy gets too close to animal's cage. Boy hospitalized with lacerations to right leg and buttock. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 04/27/97 | Massachusetts | 8-yr-old boy contracts salmonella from "pet" iguanas. Boy develops severe vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and headaches. (CDC) |
| 04/27/97 | Oklahoma City, OK | Leopard escapes cage and kills woman at Oak Hill Center for Rare and Endangered Species exotic animal rehabilitation center. Animal escapes into woods and is later shot by police. (Associated Press) |
| 04/24/97 | San Antonio, TX | Tiger bites off man's finger and injures his friend when they break into Wild Animal Orphanage and try to pet tiger. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 04/04/97 | Salisbury, NC | Chimpanzee escapes from roadside zoo, Charlotte Metro Zoo, and attacks woman in car, damaging car. (Charlotte News Observer) |
| 04/01/97 | Dallas, TX | "Pet" bobcat mauls 2-yr-old, chews off his heel, bites his cheek, and causes loss of right index finger. Day before, bobcat escapes from house and growls and lunges at several children on street. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 03/22/97 | Kansas | 6-yr-old boy has bloody diarrhea for 10 days' duration, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever and 3-yr-old brother develops diarrhea. Both boys are diagnosed with salmonella received from family's 2 "pet" snakes. (CDC) |
| 03/21/97 | Hudson, CO | Lion at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center bites left arm of man who sticks it inside animal's cage. Man suffers ligament damage and broken arm. (Greeley Tribune) |
| 03/19/97 | Spokane Valley, WA | "Pet" cougar escapes chain-link cage startling neighbors who spot cougar in their backyard. (Spokesman-Review) |
| 03/18/97 | Orlando, FL | Tiger mauls keeper at Savage Kingdom exotic cat breeding compound, severely mangling man's leg. (Associated Press) |
| 03/01/97 | San Antonio, TX | Tiger escapes from Wild Animal Orphanage, kills duck and ostrich and wounds llama before being caught. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 02/27/97 | Houston, TX | "Pet" capuchin monkey turns on his possessor and nearly kills her, severing her thumb and part of her index finger and slicing her legs. (Denver Post) |
| 02/18/97 | Sioux Falls, SD | 10-ft python escapes after he breaks glass of aquarium and pushes aside 60 pounds of weights placed atop cage. Snake goes on rampage in owner's home before 3 people capture him and place him in sack. Snake is later killed. (Reuter Information Service) |
| 01/30/97 | Mansfield, OH | Woman finds 3-ft python in her toilet. Police officer removes python and plans to keep snake unless owner is found. Snake probably came in through wall of woman's apartment. (Columbus Dispatch) |
| 01/27/97 | Madison, WI | 2 owners of gift shop are bitten by 20-ft, 275-lb python on display at shop. Python wraps around 1 man's chest and face, making him pass out, then bites his hand. 2nd man is also bitten on hand. Gift shop has several exotic animals on display. Python is captured and returned to cage. Snake is subsequently sent to nature and breeding preserve in Texas. (Wisconsin State Journal) |
| 01/05/97 | Harris County, TX | Owner transfers possession of her "pet" cougar to animal shelter after cougar repeatedly stalks her children. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 12/31/96 | Sarasota, FL | "Pet" cougar bites hand of woman assured by handler that animal is tame. Bites to hand and forearms cause serious injury. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 12/03/96 | Brooklyn Park, MN | 7-month-old "pet" Bengal tiger becomes aggressive and scratches two pet store workers and bites another while tiger is having her photograph taken. Tiger is one of two owned by family. (Reuters) |
| 11/24/96 | Loxahatchee, FL | Cougar named Missy briefly escapes from property where she is housed by jumping over 10-ft wall after barrier fence falls down. (Palm Beach Post) |
| 11/19/96 | Mesa, AZ | Woman flushes her toilet and comes face to face with 6-ft boa constrictor. Wildlife expert removes snake from toilet. Snake, dubbed Johnny, is "pet" that found its way into sewer system. (St. Louis Post Dispatch) |
| 10/30/96 | Penacook State, NH | On separate occasions, "pet" monkey, Angel, bites at least 5 people, including boy who lives in neighborhood. Angel's teeth removed to prevent further bites. (Concord Monitor) |
| 10/13/96 | Massapequa, NY | 50-yr-old man is bitten by foot poisonous viper on left index finger while milking it for venom. Man is rushed to hospital to receive antivenin. Police confiscate 12 snakes (8 rattlesnakes, 2 African puff adders, 1 African rhino, 1 unidentified snake) and attempt to relocate them to Bronx Zoo. (New York Newsday) |
| 10/09/96 | Daytona Beach, FL | Child riding elephant at Octoberfest festival knocks her head when she slips in seat and falls on her side. Girl taken to hospital for treatment of possible concussion. (Daytona Beach News Journal) |
| 10/09/96 | Las Vegas, NV | Bonnie, 8-yr-old Bengal tiger at Keepers of the Wild, mauls trainer when he feeds her. Trainer undergoes surgery on feet and legs. (Las Vegas Sun) |
| 10/01/96 | Queens, NY | 19-yr-old man is killed by "pet" python after snake wraps itself around man's neck. Snake was kept uncaged in man's apartment and never attacked household cat. (New York Newsday) |
| 09/20/96 | Arizona | 3-week-old boy is admitted to hospital with fever, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea of 15 days' duration. Boy is diagnosed with salmonella received from family's "pet" iguana. (CDC) |
| 09/16/96 | Virgina | "Pet" iguana attacks his possessor by biting her nose. Woman requires over 30 stitches and $14,000 in plastic surgery. (Reptiles Magazine) |
| 08/22/96 | Crystal Beach, TX | "Pet" lion escapes from her enclosure after being released during apparent burglary. Lion chases youth into convenience store and then jumps into pickup truck bed carrying another youth. In 1987, the lion repeatedly bit another man. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 08/16/96 | San Diego, CA | Family's 9-ft "pet" python, Calena, wraps around woman's stomach and bites her buttocks. To free woman, paramedics use hacksaw to remove snake's head. Woman is 8 months pregnant and seeks medical attention from family physician. Python was not kept in cage. (Los Angeles Daily News) |
| 07/20/96 | Canyon Country, CA | 4-ft red-tailed boa constrictor, Casey, escapes from her cage through small hole. Snake is missing and presumed to be slithering through neighborhood. This is 3rd time Casey has escaped in 4 years. (Los Angeles Daily News) |
| 07/11/96 | Mechanicstown, NY | Worker at Orange County Fair scales safety fence and puts arm into cage of 3 Bengal tigers with Commerford Petting Zoo. Female tiger bites down on man's arm, causing lacerations to hand and wrist. (Times Herald Record) |
| 07/05/96 | Hazelwood, MO | 7-week-old boy nearly dies after contracting intestinal infection from family's "pet" iguana. Boy is hospitalized for 12 days. He suffers fever, nausea, and severe diarrhea after becoming infected with salmonella bacteria. Iguana is later returned to pet store from where it was purchased. ( St. Louis Post Dispatch) |
| 06/18/96 | Akron, OH | 4 infant girls contract intestinal infection from household snakes and iguanas. Girls are sick in early 1996, but hospital is only recently able to determine that illnesses are contracted from reptiles. 1 girl contracts salmonella gastroenteritis after "pet" snake is in family bathtub. Salmonella has killed infants in households where reptiles are "pets." (Akron Beacon Journal) |
| 06/05/96 | Buffalo, NY | 2-yr-old girl escapes serious injury after family's 10-ft python tries to crush and swallow her. Snake, weighing approximately 40 pounds, wraps itself around girl's neck and has her forearm down its throat and bites her on arm. Snake had recently eaten family's "pet" rabbit. Police investigator removes snake from house and kills it. (The Buffalo News) |
| 06/01/96 | Manorville, NY | Chimpanzee at Long Island Game Farm escapes from his enclosure when door left unlocked. Animal runs through park, grabbing and scratching children until shot to death by park official. (Newsday) |
| 05/18/96 | Robie Creek, ID | "Pet" cougar with at least 1 escape on her record mauls 7-yr-old boy after escaping from her cage. (San Jose Mercury News) |
| 05/09/96 | Stanton Island, NY | "Pet" Capuchin monkey escapes his enclosure and roams neighborhood. Emergency Service police officers are unable to capture monkey. (Daily News) |
| 04/18/96 | Midlothian, TX | 6-yr-old girl is mauled by tiger and later injured in car accident while being rushed to hospital. Mother of girl is bit trying to rescue girl. Owner of tiger also keeps 5 other tigers and 1 lion. (Austin American-Statesman) |
| 03/01/96 | Spokane Valley, WA | "Pet" cougar with at least 1 escape on record (see 11/01/95) attacks 5-yr-old boy, puncturing and bruising boy's hand. Boy and his brother are petting cougar through chain-link fence when cat turns aggressive trying to pull boy into cage. County health officials order cougar euthanized so he can be tested for rabies. (Spokesman-Review) |
| 02/01/96 | Hagerstown, MD | 28-yr-old man is rushed to hospital after being bitten by "pet" Gaboon viper. Man is giving snake some water and moving bowl toward snake when attacked. Man is treated with antivenin and undergoes surgery to repair severe damage to hand. At time of incident, man is president of Western Maryland Herpetological Society. Snake is subsequently destroyed. This incident is 1 of several dangerous snakebites occurring in Washington, DC area in past 10 years. (Washington Post) |
| 01/01/96 | Bridgton, ME | "Pet" monkey bites child while possessor gives demonstration at school. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 12/27/95 | Metairie, LA | "Pet" vervet monkey bites animal control officer during inspection. Monkey had earlier scratched owner and his son. Monkey is impounded and transferred to Alabama Zoo. (Times-Picayune) |
| 11/23/95 | Quinlen, TX | Father's "pet" cougar mauls 3-yr-old toddler and 6-yr-old sister. Father has just finished feeding cougar when animal runs through open cage and attacks girl. After children are freed, cougar attacks 2 neighborhood dogs. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 11/02/95 | Apex, NC | "Pet" Bengal tiger mauls and critically injures 3-yr-old boy while father walks animal on leash. 1 side of boy's head is partially crushed. Boy requires 18 hours of surgery. Boy's father shoots tiger and is convicted of misdemeanor child abuse as result of incident. (The Charlotte Observer) |
| 11/01/95 | Then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is bitten on chin while holding baby cougar. | |
| 11/01/95 | Spokane Valley, WA | 3-yr-old male cougar, Charlie, escapes after pushing open his cage, forcing teachers at 3 nearby schools to keep students in their classrooms. Cat is captured 1 hour after he gets loose. (Spokesman Review) |
| 10/29/95 | Palmyra, OH | "Pet" mountain lion escapes from its enclosure and is loose. (Beacon Journal) |
| 10/03/95 | Michigan | "Pet" lion kills woman and severely injures her friend when woman enters animal's cage. (Circus Report) |
| 09/27/95 | Lowville, NY | "Pet" ferret bites 8-yr-old girl on cheek causing 2 small puncture wounds. Ferret is euthanized and tested for rabies. (Watertown Daily Times) |
| 09/18/95 | Lava Hot Springs, ID | 15 lions shot and killed after escape from Ligertown Game Farm. Game farm owners treated for injuries after attack by at least 1 of the cats. (Associated Press, USA Today) |
| 08/30/95 | Witchita, KS | African lion escaped from its enclosure and is found in bed of neighbor's pickup truck. Lion is shot. (San Jose Mercury News) |
| 08/26/95 | Prince William County, VA | Man is bitten by his 5-ft Asiatic "pet" cobra. (Richmond Times) |
| 08/20/95 | Madison, WI | 8-ft 45-lb python attacks university lab technician who holds snake, Ganja, while her cage is cleaned. Snake clamps her fangs around man's nose. 5 people needed to control snake and work its mouth off his nose. 24-yr-old man had helped care for snake who lived at lab for his boss for over 3 years. Snake's owner removes her from lab and finds alternate housing for her. (Capital Times) |
| 08/09/95 | Prince William County, VA | Man is bitten by 8-ft forest "pet" cobra he kept in bedroom. (Richmond Times) |
| 08/01/95 | Atlanta, GA | 9-ft "pet" snake slithers away from home after being placed in owners' backyard. 10 days later neighbor spies snake under her window. (Atlanta Journal) |
| 07/20/95 | East Point, GA | 9-ft python escapes from home and roams city for 10 days. (Atlanta Journal) |
| 07/08/95 | Prince William County, VA | 28-yr-old man is bitten twice on hands by "pet" cobra. He is admitted to hospital in critical condition and is put on life-support equipment. Later his condition is upgraded to serious. Man had at least 12 poisonous snakes as "pets." (Richmond Times) |
| 07/01/95 | Amelia County, VA | 8-month-old infant contracts salmonella infection from family's "pet" boa constrictor. Infant has fever, diarrhea, and other symptoms. State's Division of Consolidated Laboratories discovers that salmonella organisms in snake's droppings are rare subtype. Same rare subtype is recovered from infant. (Richmond Times) |
| 06/20/95 | Islip, NY | Jennifer and Clyde, 2 rhesus monkeys, escape from their home. Clyde bites animal control officer. Monkeys illegally owned in violation of town ordinance. (New York Newsday) |
| 06/18/95 | Denver, CO | "Pet" monkey is seized by customs officers and police officers after neighbor reports monkey may be infected with herpes B. Animal is tested for tuberculosis and various other viruses, including Herpes B. (Rocky Mountain News) |
| 06/01/95 | Downers Grove, IL | "Pet" Asian jungle cat mauls woman's 2-yr-old niece. Girl requires 200 stitches. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 05/28/95 | Hollidaysburg, PA | "Pet" monkey grabs kitchen knife and cigarette lighter and goes on eating binge in house, holding police at bay for nearly 2 hours. During siege, monkey bites 2 women. Monkey is subsequently caught but dies in cage. Monkey had escaped from home day before. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 02/23/95 | Novi, MI | 7 lions and tigers topple onto freeway after trailer comes unhitched; 1 tiger on loose for 4 hours. Animals were on way to Home Depot store for photo shoot. (Associated Press) |
| 02/09/95 | St. Louis, MO | Lion cub is found tied to front gate of St. Louis Zoo. Lion is declawed and wearing a collar. Evidently lion was someone's "pet." (San Jose Mercury News) |
| 01/12/95 | Anaheim, CA | "Pet" skunk, Squirt, while treated for leg injury at veterinarian's office, bites vet's assistant. Squirt was de-scented, neutered and vaccinated. Animal control officers seize animal and euthanize him. (Orange County Register) |
| 01/01/95 | Colorado Springs, CO | 4-ft python, Creeper, wraps itself around spindles of 1-yr-old girl's crib. Snake apparently slips into girl's room through hole in apartment wall. Owner of the snake lived next door. Police capture snake and place it in box in back seat of police car. Snake slithers out of box and is nowhere to be found. Police subsequently find snake dead in police car. (Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph) |
| 09/06/94 | Kansas City, MO | "Pet" chimpanzee, Sueko, bites 7-yr-old girl, causing her to undergo rabies treatments. Chimpanzee has history of getting loose and biting people. Her possessor has own history of using electrical collar as punitive device, which leaves scars on Sueko's neck. (Kansas City Star) |
| 06/18/94 | Nauvoo, IL | "Pet" Bengal tiger escapes from its chain-link pen and attacks German shepherd. Owner had 1 other tiger and 1 mountain lion. (The Decatur Daily) |
| 04/13/94 | Columbia, SC | Tiger at Taylor's Exotics, exotic animal farm, mauls 17-yr-old worker when gate to cage accidentally comes open during cleaning. (The State) |
| 03/01/94 | Manchester, NH | Model bitten by lion during photo shoot. |
| 12/01/93 | West Branch, MI | "Pet" lion attacks and injures 9-yr-old boy. Boy suffers lacerations to head and chest. (Bay City Times) |
| 09/14/93 | Pahrump, NV | Man suffers severe injuries after being bitten on right arm by Bengal tiger. Man is considering buying animal and sticks his arm into tiger's cage through feed hole. (Las Vegas Review) |
| 08/11/93 | Joplin, MO | Tiger on animal farm attacks employee and bites off part of arm. (Associated Press) |
| 07/23/93 | Georgetown, OH | "Pet" lion escaped from his cage and attacks 16-yr-old boy 1 mile from his home. (Las Vegas Sun) |
| 09/27/92 | Minot, ND | Tyke, elephant, tramples elephant show worker at the North Dakota State Fair, breaking 2 of his ribs. (St. Louis Dispatch) |
| 12/01/91 | Reno, NV | Tiger bites arm and leg of illusionist Johnathan Pendragon during performance at Reno Hilton, inflicting deep puncture wounds. (Reno Gazette-Journal) |
| 11/05/90 | Baton Rouge, LA | Chimpanzee escapes from local amusement park, snarling traffic and injuring 2 people before being subdued with tranquilizer darts. (Associated Press) |
| 06/18/90 | Phoenix, AZ | Tiger while walked on leash by trainer at resort attacks woman visitor, inflicts severe puncture wounds. |
| 04/10/90 | Sidney, MT | Leopard at petting zoo bites 7-yr-old visitor. |
| Oakdale, CA | Elephant from Marine World Africa USA giving rides throws off passengers, dragging 1 person 40 feet. |
Note: For more information, including sources of the above incidents, contact Born Free USA united with API.