Search Exotic Incidents Database

A father’s “pet” cougar mauled a 3-year-old toddler and his 6-year-old sister. The father had just finished feeding the cougar when the animal ran through the open cage and attacked the girl. After the children were freed, the cougar attacked two neighborhood dogs.

Two tigers mauled a man who entered their enclosure at the Memphis Zoo.

A “pet” Bengal tiger mauled and critically injured a 3-year-old boy while the father walked the animal on a leash. The boy required 18 hours of surgery. One side of the boy’s head was partially crushed. The boy’s father shot the tiger and was convicted of misdemeanor child abuse as a result of the incident.

A 3-year-old male cougar, Charlie, escaped after pushing open his cage, forcing teachers at three nearby schools to keep the students in their classrooms. The cat was recaptured an hour after he got loose.

Then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was bitten on the chin while holding a baby cougar.

A “pet” mountain lion escaped from its enclosure and was on the loose.

A “pet” lion killed a woman and severely injured her friend when the woman entered the animal’s cage.

A lion with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus bit off the index finger of a woman who put her hand in the cage.

A “pet” ferret bit an 8-year-old girl on the cheek, causing two small puncture wounds. The ferret was euthanized and tested for rabies.

Fifteen lions were shot and killed after they escaped from the Ligertown Game Farm. Game farm owners were treated for injuries after an attack by at least one of the cats. Owners were charged w/animal cruelty, fined around $10,000 and served jail time.