October 15, 1997 Dickinson, TX A “pet” mountain lion escaped from its enclosure and roamed through Galveston County. Big Cats
October 9, 1997 Los Angeles, CA A black panther bit an animal trainer, breaking her ankle, during the shooting of the movie Swiss Family Robinson. Big Cats
October 6, 1997 Louisville, KY Police blamed a loose python for a one-car accident that injured the snake’s “owner” and friend. The 10-ft-long “pet” python was napping in the back seat of its “owner’s” car when it awoke and slithered into the front seat. In an attempt to remove the snake, the woman drove into the median causing her car to flip. The snake was caught and given to the woman’s father. Reptiles
September 27, 1997 South Barrington, IL A baboon attacked a 4-year-old girl at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm and Petting Zoo, leaving permanent scars on the girl’s arms. Primates
September 24, 1997 Palm Beach, FL A man was charged with five wildlife misdemeanors after his “pet” macaque monkey, Ringo, bit a girl. One of the charges included trying to illegally sell the monkey after the incident. Ringo harbored the herpes B virus. Ringo was tested to determine if the virus was active. Primates
September 20, 1997 Somers, NY A “pet” bobcat escaped from its “owner’s” home and terrorized a neighborhood rabbit. The bobcat was later found in a neighbor’s yard. Small Cats
September 11, 1997 Southwest Portland, OR A “pet” Siberian tiger escaped from its cage and frightened a 74-year-old woman. Big Cats
August 28, 1997 Philadelphia, PA A “pet” viper sank its fangs into its “owner” who had to be rushed to the hospital. Reptiles
August 17, 1997 York Beach, ME Elephants leased for rides to Wild Animal Kingdom ran away from their trainer during morning exercises after being startled by a truck. Elephants
August 11, 1997 Little Rock, AR A grizzly bear at the Little Rock Zoo escaped her pen and rummaged through garbage cans in the zoo until a zookeeper discovered her during the night. The bear was darted and returned to the bear exhibit. Bears