December 22, 1999 Cut and Shoot, TX One of 6 elephants escaped and wandered onto neighboring property and pressed against a family’s sliding glass door, then crashed through a fence to return. The elephant was owned by Bill Swain, who books elephants, lamas, and camels at performances throughout country, under name of Trunks and Humps, Inc. Elephants
December 22, 1999 Port Orange, FL A 32-year-old man died after being bitten by his 12-1/2-ft-long reticulated python. The python grabbed the man’s forehead and then wrapped himself around the man’s body, suffocating him. Reptiles
December 18, 1999 Oneida, OH A “pet” Cougar, Grace, escaped from her cage and attacked a neighbor’s dog. Grace pushed past her “owner” when he fed her breakfast. The dog survived but Grace was shot and killed. Big Cats
December 12, 1999 Van Nuys, CA A Los Angeles Zoo volunteer died after her “pet” Gabon viper bit her. The woman kept 12 snakes, 10 of them dangerous, and 6 flesh-eating piranha fish at her home. She was found with two puncture wounds on the back of her hand. The viper has the longest fangs of any snake, according to Los Angeles Zoo officials. Reptiles
December 9, 1999 Rancho Bernardo, CA A “pet” spider monkey escaped from his home and roamed the neighborhood for two hours. The monkey frightened residents, eluded police, and bit an Animal Control officer. Primates
December 3, 1999 Hernando County, FL A “pet” cougar that escaped from her enclosure and was missing for more than 10 months was recaptured with a homemade trap. The cougar had been killing and eating livestock in the area. Big Cats
November 23, 1999 Wayne County, MO A “pet” lion, chained at the “owner’s” home, attacked a 5-year-old boy. The boy received puncture wounds on his throat and head. The lion was recaptured and euthanized. Big Cats
November 5, 1999 Des Moines, IA A “pet” rhesus monkey, Nicky, was found running around a neighborhood. Animal Control recaptured the monkey and quarantined him. Shortly after blood samples were taken from Nicky, he bit the handler. Primates
November 1, 1999 Los Angeles, CA A koala climbed out of its yard at the Los Angeles Zoo and was found a few minutes later in a nearby tree. A keeper coaxed the koala out of the tree and carried it back to the exhibit. Bears
November 1, 1999 Hammond, LA A 6-ft-long Burmese python escaped after its possessor forgot to latch its cage. A 9-year-old boy found the python several days later under a car. No one injuries were reported and the python was returned to its “owner.” Reptiles