March 14, 2002 Menifee, CA A wolf-hybrid attacked a 10-year-old boy in a parking lot. The boy suffered puncture wounds, scrapes, and bruises when he was bitten and dragged more than 20 feet. Other
March 13, 2002 Holland Township, MI A woman reported that she saw a cougar roaming a neighborhood. It was suspected that the cougar was an escaped “pet.” Big Cats
March 13, 2002 Easley, SC Tonya, an elephant belonging to Robert Childress and used in various circuses, escaped control of her handlers while she was loaded into a trailer. She fled into nearby woods and was recaptured with the assistance of the police. This was the 4th time that Tonya had run amok (see 06/21/00, 02/16/98, and 08/28/97). Elephants
March 10, 2002 Thorntown, IN A spider monkey was on the loose in a neighborhood after escaping from his home. Primates
March 4, 2002 San Diego, CA A “pet” emu escaped from his enclosure after being bitten by a donkey. The emu ran free for three days, leaping a fence, injuring an officer, and stopping traffic in front of a high school. Other
March 2, 2002 Fort Bend County, TX A rare white-crowned mangaby was found living with a pack of dogs. Most likely the primate was an escaped “pet.” Primates
February 16, 2002 Howard County, MD A 5-ft-long monitor lizard was recaptured in Howard County after he had feasted on some petunias. Reptiles
February 11, 2002 Pahrump, NV Animal exhibitor Karl Mitchell shot and killed one of his tigers after the animal became frightened and escaped from his control while being moved to a new residence. Big Cats