August 9, 1997 Anaheim, CA A 10-year-old boy was attacked by his “pet” python while changing its water. Reptiles
August 7, 1997 West Hills, CA A 7-1/2-ft-long boa constrictor escaped from its home and ate Babette, a chihuahua, in the dog’s backyard. Babette’s “owner” was awarded $1,500 for the dog’s death. Reptiles
August 6, 1997 Salt Lake City, UT A gorilla at the Hogle Zoo attacked a primate supervisor, causing permanent nerve damage to the man’s left arm. Primates
August 6, 1997 Alburquerque, NM An over-heated trailer belonging to King Royal Circus was found in a hotel parking lot containing eight llamas and three elephants, one elephant was dead. All 3 elephants were found to have salmonella. King Royal Circus was fined and had their USDA license revoked. The surviving elephants llamas were later bought by the Rio Grande Zoo in New Mexico. The circus had been fined previously. ElephantsOther
August 1, 1997 Beaverdam, OH An employee of Allen Bros Circus was charged with four counts of animal cruelty for leaving two Bengal tigers and two lions for over eight hours in a disabled trailer with no access to water. Authorities impounded the vehicle and took the animals to the Toledo Zoo. Big Cats
July 12, 1997 Hartford, CT A “pet” monkey was going for a walk when he broke free and wandered into a neighboring yard. The monkey jumped onto a woman’s head and grabbed her hair and then bit her on the arm. Primates
July 3, 1997 Pompano Beach, FL A woman awoke in the middle of the night with a 5-1/2-ft-long rainbow boa constrictor across her shoulders and legs. Police captured the boa and took it home to a “foster” cage. It was presumed that the snake was a lost “pet.” Reptiles
June 28, 1997 Seagoville, TX A man who entered the animal area for Clyde Bros. Johnson Circus was attacked by an elephant and suffered a broken arm and dislocated shoulder. Elephants
June 7, 1997 Bridgton, ME A “pet” monkey bit and scratched a woman in a supermarket checkout line. This same monkey bit a child in 02/96. Primates