June 15, 2003 Benton, IL A 40-lb, 6-1/2-ft-long Asian water monitor escaped from her cage after prying the cage top loose. Reptiles
June 11, 2003 Brownsville, TX Two baby zebras jumped the fence of a traveling circus and made their way down southbound Expressway 83. Trucks with ropes corraled the zebras. Animal Control also set up fences. The zebras were finally herded into the back of a truck. A police officer and an onlooker received scratches when the zebras kicked them. The zebras were treated for wounds. Other
June 11, 2003 Whitehall Township, PA A man was bitten on the shoulder by one of several poisonous snakes he kept in his apartment. Police confiscated 10 poisonous snakes. Reptiles
June 6, 2003 Westford, MA A large cat, likely a cougar, was spotted roaming the neighborhood. Big Cats
June 3, 2003 Rockledge, FL An 80-lb Burmese python, Lurch, escaped his cage and wrapped himself tightly around the leg of his possessor’s mother. Paramedics arrived and freed the woman. Reptiles
June 1, 2003 Los Angeles, CA A goral goat antelope discovered a hole in the fence of its exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo and escaped before the zoo opened. Other
May 17, 2003 RI A “pet” piranha attacked and bit a small child on the finger. The child was rushed to the hospital and expected to be fine. Other
May 16, 2003 Macon, GA A “pet” tortoise was found roaming a neighborhood. The reptile was subsequently recaptured and returned to her home. Reptiles
May 8, 2003 Cedar Rapids, IA A 300-lb black bear escaped from its cage and was later recaptured. Bears