May 22, 2012 Albuquerque, NM An animal control officer turned in a baby alligator that he owned. Although it is illegal for the general public to own an alligator in New Mexico, the officer will not be disciplined as he was relatively new to his job and he turned the animal in voluntarily. It was unclear where the officer obtained the alligator. Reptiles
May 21, 2012 St. Petersburg, FL Someone threw a 6-foot boa constrictor and a terrier mix into a trash bin. When authorities arrived at the dumpster, they found the two animals amidst a lot of blood. It was later discovered that the boa’s skull had been crushed. The dog was unhurt. The snake later died of its injuries. Reptiles
May 14, 2012 Broward County, FL A professional snake handler in Broward County is recoving from a cobra bite suffered during a live show at a Miccosukee Indian Tribe facility. The femal henalder was bitten by an Indian Cobra, approximately 3-feet long, and considered among the deadliest snakes in the world. The snake handler is recovering. Reptiles
May 11, 2012 Dexter, IA Officials are investigating a report that a child was scratched by a monkey at a day care center. The Capuchin monkey named Charlie is a kept as a “pet” at the daycare. Although the owners state that the primate has a good bill of health, the child was taken to the hospital to undergo rabies shots. Primates
May 10, 2012 Cleveland, SC Eight venomous snakes were found living in a home amongst 3-year old and 2-month old children. Investigators determined that the parents did not have the license, nor the proper housing, to possess the snakes which placed the children in danger. Arrest warrants were obtained for the unlawful neglect of a child and the parents were placed under arrest. They both face up to 20 years imprisonment if found guilty. Reptiles
May 9, 2012 Hyde Park, NY A 5-foot-6 Burmese Python was recovered from the parking lot a pizzaria in Hyde Park. Officials speculate the snake was dumped by its guardian. The python will be taken to the Bronx Zoo. Reptiles
May 8, 2012 St. Petersburg, FL A passer-by found a 3-foot ball python curled up near a corner in a neighborhood. Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation removed the snake. The snake had been injured. Reptiles
May 7, 2012 Bellevue, WA A woman was attacked by her boyfriend’s “pet” lynx. The lynx reportedly escaped from its cage and bit the woman while she was cleaning. Animal control took the animal and it is now in quarantine and they are looking into the incident as it is illegal to house a wild cat in most situations. Small Cats
May 7, 2012 Asheville, NC City animal control officers were called to a home after a monkey escaped and bit three neighbors while on the loose. When officers came to retrieve the monkey, they found marijuana, hash, mushrooms and ecstacy in the home and arrested Charles Bradley Winecoff. Winecoff was jailed briefly and released on bond. The monkey, a marmoset, will be euthanized to test for rabies. Primates
May 7, 2012 Chattanooga, TN Police catch a monkey named Molly that had been roaming around the neighborhood that had escaped from its guardian. McKamey Animal Center is waiting to release her pending proper paperwork. Primates