November 1, 1995 Spokane Valley, WA A 3-year-old male cougar, Charlie, escaped after pushing open his cage, forcing teachers at three nearby schools to keep the students in their classrooms. The cat was recaptured an hour after he got loose. Big Cats
November 1, 1995 Then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was bitten on the chin while holding a baby cougar. Big Cats
October 29, 1995 Palmyra, OH A “pet” mountain lion escaped from its enclosure and was on the loose. Big Cats
October 3, 1995 MI A “pet” lion killed a woman and severely injured her friend when the woman entered the animal’s cage. Big Cats
September 30, 1995 Indianapolis, IN A lion with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus bit off the index finger of a woman who put her hand in the cage. Big Cats
September 27, 1995 Lowville, NY A “pet” ferret bit an 8-year-old girl on the cheek, causing two small puncture wounds. The ferret was euthanized and tested for rabies. Other
September 18, 1995 Lava Hot Springs, ID Fifteen lions were shot and killed after they escaped from the Ligertown Game Farm. Game farm owners were treated for injuries after an attack by at least one of the cats. Owners were charged w/animal cruelty, fined around $10,000 and served jail time. Big Cats
September 1, 1995 Bloomington, IL A man climbed the fence to the snow leopard exhibit at the Miller Park Zoo to pat the leopard on the head. When the leopard latched onto the man’s hand, the man jerked free and sustained a 3-1/2-inch cut on his palm. Big Cats
August 30, 1995 Wichita, KS An African lion escaped from its enclosure and was found in the bed of the neighbor’s pickup truck. The lion was shot. Big Cats
August 26, 1995 Prince William County, VA A man was bitten by his 5-ft-long Asiatic “pet” cobra. Reptiles