August 20, 1995 Madison, WI An 8-ft-long, 45-lb python attacked a university lab technician when he was holding the snake, Ganja, while her cage was cleaned. The snake clamped her fangs around the man’s nose. It took five people to control the snake and work its mouth off his nose. The 24-year-old man had helped care for the snake for more than three years. The snake’s “owner” removed her from the lab and found alternate housing for her. Reptiles
August 9, 1995 Prince William County, VA A man was bitten by his 8-ft-long “pet” forest cobra he kept in his bedroom. Reptiles
July 8, 1995 Prince William County, VA A 28-year-old man was bitten on his hands twice by his “pet” cobra. He was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and was on life-support equipment. Later his condition was upgraded to serious. The man had at least a dozen poisonous snakes, which he kept as “pets.” Reptiles
June 20, 1995 Islip, NY Jennifer and Clyde, two rhesus monkeys, escaped from their home. Clyde bit an Animal Control officer. The two monkeys were illegally owned in violation of a town ordinance. Primates
June 1, 1995 Downers Grove, IL A “pet” Asian jungle cat mauled a woman’s 2-year-old niece. The girl required 200 stitches. Small Cats
May 28, 1995 Hollidaysburg, PA A “pet” monkey grabbed a kitchen knife and a cigarette lighter and went on an eating binge in a house, holding police at bay for nearly 2 hours, during which time the animal bit two women. The monkey was subsequently caught but died in the cage. This animal had escaped from its home the day before. Primates
January 12, 1995 Anaheim, CA A “pet” skunk, Squirt, being treated for a leg injury at a veterinarian’s office, bit the vet’s assistant. Squirt was de-scented, neutered, and vaccinated. Animal Control officers seized the animal and euthanized him. Other
September 6, 1994 Kansas City, MO A “pet” chimpanzee, Sueko, bit a 7-year-old girl, causing her to undergo rabies treatments. The chimpanzee had a history of getting loose and biting people, and her possessor had a history of using an electrical collar as a punitive device, which left scars on Sueko’s neck. Primates
December 1, 1993 West Branch, MI A “pet” lion attacked and injured a 9-year-old boy. The boy suffered lacerations to his head and chest. Big Cats