November 27, 1997 Flushing, NY A man’s 3-1/2-ft-long “pet” albino cobra bit him on the pinkie finger while he was attempting to feed it. The man was treated with snakebite antidote at the local hospital. It is unknown what happened to the snake. Reptiles
October 31, 1997 Madison, WI A 3-ft-long python, Merlin, reported missing since mid-October, was discovered back home at the UW-Madison residence hall. Merlin was discovered four doors down from her room. Merlin had a history of disappearing for long periods of time. Once she was gone for three years. UW housing does not allow its residents to keep any “pets” except fish in the rooms. Reptiles
October 23, 1997 Superior, WI A 3-ft-long python was found lounging behind a woman’s toilet. The woman spotted the snake while she was bending over the bathroom sink to wash her hair. The snake will be returned to its “owner,” the former tenant in the same apartment. Reptiles
October 21, 1997 Cincinnati, OH A “pet” bear nipped a 4-year-old boy in the stomach. The bear belonged to a visiting neighbor. The boy was not seriously injured. Bears
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