March 3, 1999 Colorado Springs, CO A leopard at the Colorado Springs Zoo bit a 6-year-old on the face and neck when the boy leaned into the animal’s cage. Big Cats
February 28, 1999 Gary, IN A 16-ft-long, 150-lb python bit a pet store employee on his arm, sending him to the hospital. It required three people to free the employee from the snake’s grip. The employee was released from the hospital with no stitches, only puncture marks. Reptiles
February 21, 1999 Poughkeepsie, NY An elephant in the Hanneford Circus escaped from the ring and charged toward the crowd. Three people were injured while fleeing. Elephants
January 27, 1999 Salt Lake City, UT Two chimpanzees at the Hogle Zoo escaped and attacked two employees, critically injuring one. The employee had no training in working with primates and the other only limited experience with chimps. Primates
January 13, 1999 Jackson, NJ A tiger on the loose for several hours was shot and killed by sharpshooters after tranquilizer darts missed. The tiger was believed to be privately owned. Big Cats
January 11, 1999 Tampa, FL A “pet” capuchin monkey, Angel, was apparently kissing and hugging her “owner,” and then started nipping the woman under her chin. As the woman was attempting to put Angel back in her cage, Angel attacked and bit the woman 50 times. The woman suffered bites to her hands, arms, and right leg, and required stitches on her right knee. Primates
January 7, 1999 Phoenix, AZ A Phoenix man was bitten to death by his “pet” rattlesnake. In addition to the snake, the man possessed several boas and other snakes in the house. Reptiles
January 1, 1999 Wichita, KS A tiger cub from the Safari Zoological Park bit the throat of a 5-year-old boy at a private residence where the tiger was taken following a television appearance. The boy received 29 stitches to close the wound. Big Cats
November 30, 1998 San Diego, CA Kasatka, a performing killer whale at SeaWorld San Diego, tried to bite a trainer during a show. Marine
December 29, 1998 Clarksburg, NJ A 431-lb Bengal tiger escaped from the Tigers Only Preservation Society, a 12-acre compound declared illegal by the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. Dozens of police and some helicopters descended upon a residential community near the compound to corral the tiger, whom they ultimately shot. The owner of the facility and self-proclaimed “Tiger Lady” denied the cat was hers. Big Cats