October 22, 2008 Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvnia Game Commission officials announced that blood samples collected at the scene of a alleged cougar attack proved that the sample was not blood at all. No further investigation was planned. Big Cats
October 22, 2008 McKinney, TX 200 animals died as a result of an early morning fire in a local pet wholesale shop. A malfunctioning heat lamp was believed to have sparked the fire. Two 3-ft-long alligators managed to escape their cage and were swimming along the flooded floor. The store sold exotic reptiles, hamsters and birds. ReptilesOther
October 21, 2008 Shakopee, MN Local owners of a corn maze fielded complaints from unhappy animal lovers about the display of a live, caged tiger furnished by Vogel Exotic Animals Shows of Sanborn, MN. Big Cats
October 21, 2008 Virginia Beach, VA A 25-year-old woman was found dead in her home by her husband. The medical examiner’s preliminary report stated that the woman died from asphyxiation caused by neck compression. The python’s cage was empty. Reptiles
October 15, 2008 Bethel, OH The owner of a golf course discovered a 31-inch-long alligator. The owner planned to keep reptile until someone claimed him. Reptiles
October 15, 2008 Van Nuys, CA A man appeared in court to answer for harboring an undocumented primate. Police had previously arrested the man in January for shouting criminal threats in front of a Van Nuys residence. A 7-year-old black and while male marmoset was discovered during the arrest and investigation. Primates
October 14, 2008 Bloomington, IN An emaciated leopard, two tigers, one cougar, and a lion were found living in the worst conditions authorities had seen in 40 years of rescuing big cats. The cats recovered, eating well and growing, at the Center Point Big Cat Refuge. The female cougar received medical treatment for an infected mouth and rotting teeth. Possessor was arrested and charged with animal cruelty in 2004 after police found a sick 3-month-old black bear cub abandoned at her home. The cub had to be euthanized. Possessor pleaded not guilty to the charge which was later dismissed. Big Cats
October 6, 2008 Palm Beach, FL Fluffy, a 12-ft-long, 100-lb Burmese python, was rescued by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies and was recovering at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. The snake had been hit by a car on Indiantown Road. Reptiles
October 5, 2008 Palm City, FL Simba, a declawed Siberian lynx, escaped her cage and was loose. Simba was wearing a red collar with crystals. Big Cats
October 5, 2008 Birmingham, AL Tiger, a “declawed” African serval cat, escaped his possessor. The cat was spotted about three miles south of the possessor’s home Police cautioned people not to try to capture him. Small Cats